Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe

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This Pesto Chicken Pasta is perfect for busy nights. It brings together basil pesto’s taste with creamy textures. This dinner can be made in less than 30 minutes.

Think of a meal you can make in just one pot. This recipe is creamy and delicious, with easy cleanup. Using a deep skillet, anyone can make this tasty dish fast.

Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)

To make the best pesto chicken pasta recipe, start with the right ingredients. Here’s what you need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Butter
• Fresh garlic
• Short pasta, such as penne
• Chicken broth
• Milk
• Cream cheese
• Basil pesto
• Parmesan cheese
• Freshly cracked pepper
• Crushed red pepper
• Optional: spinach and sun-dried tomatoes

With these ingredients, every part of the dish will be full of flavor. The chicken and butter start a tasty base. Garlic makes it smell incredible. Using penne pasta helps it soak up the flavors. But, you can pick other kinds of pasta too. For those who can’t eat gluten, don’t worry. There are pasta types that are gluten-free. They work just as well, but the pasta might not soak up the liquid the same. If so, the dish could turn out a bit different.

It’s important to measure everything just right. This helps all the flavors mix well. Then, you get a mouth-watering meal. You can switch the pasta for whole wheat to make it a bit healthier. Even with changes, the recipe will still be great with some tweaks.

Following these steps will lead you to a top-notch pesto chicken pasta recipe. It will be good for different diets, all while keeping its great taste.

Instructions

To make a lovely Pesto Chicken Pasta, start with this step-by-step preparation guide. Cut the chicken into small pieces first. Then, fry the chicken in butter until it’s a little brown.

Add garlic to make the chicken smell great. Put in pasta and chicken broth. Keep a good simmer to cook pasta right. Remember, a good simmer is a top pasta cooking tip.

Cover the pot and stir the meal sometimes. When the pasta is soft, add milk, cream cheese, and pesto. Keep stirring until it’s all creamy. You can also mix in spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.

Finally, sprinkle black pepper and red pepper on top. Getting the right spicy kick in this cooking guide makes the dish stand out. It looks good and tastes wonderful.

That’s how to make pesto chicken pasta the easy way! Follow these steps and make a tasty, fresh meal.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

To keep your Pesto Chicken Pasta tasting great, follow these cooking tips and storage ideas. Use good pots and pans to make sure the pasta cooks well and doesn’t stick. It’s also important to match the size of the burner with your pan to spread the heat evenly.

Keep a strong simmer going and stir now and then to avoid sticking and reach the perfect texture. For pasta storage, put it in the fridge in a sealed container. This helps it stay yummy for about two days.

When heating the pasta again, be gentle. A bit of milk can make the sauce creamy again. To make the taste even better, add some fresh pesto or grated Parmesan. These simple touches will make the flavors as good as the first time you tried it.

Recipe Variations & Serving Suggestions

Pesto Chicken Pasta can be changed in many ways. You can switch the pasta type, like using bow tie pasta. This not only tastes good but looks different too.

If you want a different taste, try using shrimp or tofu instead of chicken. This is good for those who don’t eat meat but still want a protein-rich meal. People who avoid gluten can go for pasta made from rice or quinoa.

Adding veggies like roasted red peppers can really jazz up the flavor. It makes the meal more interesting. When serving, you can have the pasta alone or with salad or bread.

If you’d like a Mediterranean vibe, have the pasta with wine. It’s a great idea for a special dinner at home.