Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta – Ultra-Comforting, Cheesy & Family-Favorite

🎉 Introduction

This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is the kind of meal that instantly brings comfort to the table. Tender, juicy chicken breast is cooked to perfection, then tossed with penne pasta in a rich, velvety pesto cream sauce finished with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Every bite is creamy, cheesy, herby, and deeply satisfying—without feeling heavy or complicated.

What makes this recipe truly special is balance. The basil pesto adds fresh, aromatic depth, while the creaminess rounds everything out into a smooth, luxurious sauce that coats every piece of pasta. It’s a dish that feels restaurant-worthy, yet it’s easy enough for a busy weeknight. If you love creamy pasta recipes, pesto chicken dinners, and comfort food classics, this one deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large pot (for pasta)
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Tip: Use a wide skillet so the sauce reduces evenly and coats the pasta perfectly.

🛒 Ingredients

Protein

• 1 lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-size pieces

Pasta

• ½ lb penne pasta

Aromatics & Herbs

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Fresh basil leaves, finely chopped (for garnish)

Sauce Base

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup half-and-half

Flavor Boost

• ½ cup basil pesto
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Cheese

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Ingredient Notes:

• Chicken breast keeps the dish lean while staying juicy in the sauce.
• Basil pesto provides bold herby richness.
• The mozzarella adds creaminess, while Parmesan brings savory depth.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions.
• Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.

Step 2: Season & Cook the Chicken

• Season chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add chicken in a single layer.
• Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fully cooked.
• Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Start the Creamy Base

• Reduce heat to medium.
• In the same skillet, melt butter.
• Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Sprinkle flour over the butter and garlic.
• Whisk continuously for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

• Slowly whisk in chicken broth.
• Add half-and-half and continue whisking until smooth.
• Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 5: Add Pesto & Cheese

• Stir in basil pesto.
• Add mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• Stir until fully melted and creamy.

Step 6: Combine Everything

• Return cooked chicken to the skillet.
• Add drained pasta.
• Toss everything together until evenly coated.
• Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.

Step 7: Final Touch

• Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
• Remove from heat and let rest 2 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–5
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: About 40 minutes

A comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner ready in under an hour.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Reheating

• Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat
• Add a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce

Tip: Avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth and creamy.

🥄 Variations

• Spinach Pesto Pasta
  • Stir in fresh spinach until wilted
• Extra Cheesy
  • Add more mozzarella or Parmesan before serving
• Low-Carb Option
  • Replace pasta with zucchini noodles
• Tomato Twist
  • Add cherry tomatoes for brightness
• Meal Prep Friendly
  • Portion into containers for easy lunches

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
   Yes, they add extra juiciness.
2. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
   Yes, creamy and mild in flavor.
3. Does the sauce thicken naturally?
   Yes, thanks to flour and cheese.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Best fresh, but reheats well.
5. Is this dish gluten-free?
   Not as written; use gluten-free pasta and flour.
6. Can I freeze creamy pesto pasta?
   Not recommended due to dairy.
7. What pesto works best?
   Classic basil pesto.
8. Can I add vegetables?
   Yes, spinach or mushrooms work well.
9. Does mozzarella overpower the pesto?
   No, it balances beautifully.
10. What sides pair well with this?
    Simple vegetables or fresh salad.

🏁 Conclusion

This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is everything a comfort dinner should be—rich, creamy, cheesy, and full of herby flavor. With tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a silky pesto cream sauce, it’s a recipe that satisfies every time.

Whether you’re cooking for family, guests, or just yourself, this dish delivers consistent, cozy results with minimal effort. One bite is all it takes to understand why it’s a true classic you’ll keep coming back to.

Adam

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta – Ultra-Comforting, Cheesy & Family-Favorite

This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is the kind of meal that instantly brings comfort to the table. Tender, juicy chicken breast is cooked to perfection, then tossed with penne pasta in a rich, velvety pesto cream sauce finished with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Every bite is creamy, cheesy, herby, and deeply satisfying—without feeling heavy or complicated. What makes this recipe truly special is balance. The basil pesto adds fresh, aromatic depth, while the creaminess rounds everything out into a smooth, luxurious sauce that coats every piece of pasta. It’s a dish that feels restaurant-worthy, yet it’s easy enough for a busy weeknight. If you love creamy pasta recipes, pesto chicken dinners, and comfort food classics, this one deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Protein

• 1 lb chicken breast boneless and skinless, cut into bite-size pieces

Pasta

• ½ lb penne pasta
• Aromatics & Herbs
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• Fresh basil leaves finely chopped (for garnish)

Sauce Base

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup half-and-half

Flavor Boost

• ½ cup basil pesto
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Cheese

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Ingredient Notes:

• Chicken breast keeps the dish lean while staying juicy in the sauce.
• Basil pesto provides bold herby richness.
• The mozzarella adds creaminess while Parmesan brings savory depth.

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.

• 🍳

  Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

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• ⚡

  Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

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• 🔥

  CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

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Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Equipment

• Large pot (for pasta)
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Tip: Use a wide skillet so the sauce reduces evenly and coats the pasta perfectly.

Method

 

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions.
3. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.

Step 2: Season & Cook the Chicken

1. Season chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken in a single layer.
4. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fully cooked.
5. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Start the Creamy Base

1. Reduce heat to medium.
2. In the same skillet, melt butter.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle flour over the butter and garlic.
5. Whisk continuously for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

1. Slowly whisk in chicken broth.
2. Add half-and-half and continue whisking until smooth.
3. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 5: Add Pesto & Cheese

1. Stir in basil pesto.
2. Add mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
3. Stir until fully melted and creamy.

Step 6: Combine Everything

1. Return cooked chicken to the skillet.
2. Add drained pasta.
3. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
4. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.

Step 7: Final Touch

1. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
2. Remove from heat and let rest 2 minutes.
3. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat

Add a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce

Tip: Avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth and creamy.

🥄 Variations

Spinach Pesto Pasta

Stir in fresh spinach until wilted

Extra Cheesy

Add more mozzarella or Parmesan before serving

Low-Carb Option

Replace pasta with zucchini noodles

Tomato Twist

Add cherry tomatoes for brightness

Meal Prep Friendly

Portion into containers for easy lunches

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes, they add extra juiciness.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, creamy and mild in flavor.

Does the sauce thicken naturally?
Yes, thanks to flour and cheese.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Best fresh, but reheats well.

Is this dish gluten-free?
Not as written; use gluten-free pasta and flour.

Can I freeze creamy pesto pasta?
Not recommended due to dairy.

What pesto works best?
Classic basil pesto.

Can I add vegetables?
Yes, spinach or mushrooms work well.

Does mozzarella overpower the pesto?
No, it balances beautifully.

What sides pair well with this?
Simple vegetables or fresh salad.

🏁 Conclusion

This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is everything a comfort dinner should be—rich, creamy, cheesy, and full of herby flavor. With tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a silky pesto cream sauce, it’s a recipe that satisfies every time.

Whether you’re cooking for family, guests, or just yourself, this dish delivers consistent, cozy results with minimal effort. One bite is all it takes to understand why it’s a true classic you’ll keep coming back to.