Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
This decadent skillet creamy chicken pesto pasta is an easy to make comfort food that your whole family will love.
Ingredients
- one ounce box penne pasta 283 grams box
Seasoned Chicken Breast
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- black pepper
- salt
- 3 large chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces, boneless, skinless
Pesto Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoon garlic minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half cream
- 1/4 cup Romano cheese freshly grated
- ½ cup basil pesto more to taste if desired
- basil fresh torn leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken breast with the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper as desired.
- Heat a large capacity deep sided skillet over medium heat and olive oil, then add the seasoned chicken breast. Cook until chicken is no longer pink, browning all sides. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Return the skillet to the stove over medium heat and melt the butter. Add in the garlic and saute until browned and fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over top and stir, cooking until the flour is golden and smells nutty, about 2-3 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and whisking into the broth.
- Add the half & half and bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cheese and pesto, stirring and cooking until slightly thickened.
- Add in the cooked pasta and chicken and stir until everything is covered in the sauce.
- Remove from the heat and plate, garnish with fresh chopped basil.
Notes
- Adjust the pesto amount to your personal tastes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 466
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 466kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 109mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 895mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 446mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1172IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 212mg | 21% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.