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Chicken Pesto Pasta
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Chicken Pesto Pasta

Time saving, yet indulgent, this Chicken Pesto Pasta uses cooked, shredded chicken to turn this into an easy weeknight meal. Balanced and satisfying, this will become your new go-to comfort food.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 911 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 3 oz Parmesan Cheese finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup pesto sauce homemade or store bought, prepared
  • 8 oz chicken cooked, shredded or cubed
  • crushed red pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously, then add the pasta. Cook until al dente. Before draining, save a mug full of the pasta water. Drain, and reserve the pasta.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic. Cook for a minute or two, stirring the whole time so that the garlic doesn’t burn.
  3. Turn the heat back up to medium and slowly whisk in the cream. Cook the mixture until the cream has slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat and add the parmesan cheese. Whisk until the cheese has melted, then stir in the Italian seasoning and the pesto.
  5. Add the pasta to the sauce, along with the shredded chicken. Stir to combine. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
  6. Top with crushed red pepper before serving, if desired.

Notes

  • Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/4 of recipe Calories 911kcal (46%) Carbohydrates 48g (16%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 68g (105%) Saturated Fat 31g (155%) Polyunsaturated Fat 13g (76%) Trans Fat 0g (0%) Cholesterol 162mg (54%) Sodium 607mg (25%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 911

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/4 of recipe
Calories 911kcal 46%
Carbohydrates 48g 16%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 68g 105%
Saturated Fat 31g 155%
Polyunsaturated Fat 13g 76%
Trans Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 162mg 54%
Sodium 607mg 25%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.