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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta: A Comforting Family Favorite

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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a comforting dish combining tender chicken, al dente penne pasta, and a rich, creamy pesto sauce, perfect for a family meal.

Ingredients

Penne pasta

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup half and half

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup pesto

Fresh basil (for garnish)

Black pepper (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the penne pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning, then add chicken breasts. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute until golden. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and half and half. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the sauce thickens.
  4. Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in pesto, grated Parmesan, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth.
  5. Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the sauce. Toss to coat pasta and chicken with the creamy pesto sauce.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half and half with milk.

Add vegetables like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms for added flavor.

Any type of pasta can be used instead of penne, like fusilli, spaghetti, or farfalle.

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of milk or chicken broth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta-a-comforting-family-favorite/