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–+ servings
Simple Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Simple Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta for the Ultimate Comfort Dinner

This Simple Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a quick and delicious dinner, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 470
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Short Pasta (Penne or Rotini)
For the Chicken
  • 2 pieces Chicken Breasts Sliced
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
For the Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 tablespoon Butter
  • 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • ½ cup Pesto Quality store-bought preferred
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • ½ cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes
For the Greens
  • 2-3 cups Fresh Baby Spinach
For the Finish
  • to taste Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese Optional

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Skillet
  • whisk
  • Colander

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water, add pasta, and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook in a skillet with olive oil and butter until golden and cooked through.
  3. Sprinkle flour over residual juices in the skillet, stir for 1 minute until browned.
  4. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, cream, pesto, lemon juice, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer until thickened.
  5. Add spinach to the sauce, stirring until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Combine drained pasta and chicken into the skillet, stir in reserved pasta water for desired consistency.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 470kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For a dairy-free option, use olive oil instead of butter and coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

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