EASY CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN

Imagine twirling your fork through perfectly cooked pasta, each strand coated in a vibrant green, creamy pesto sauce, studded with juicy, tender pieces of chicken. This Creamy Pesto Chicken is the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers – quick, easy, and bursting with flavor, I promise you’ll be coming back for seconds!

The Star Players: Ingredients for Creamy Pesto Chicken

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or use Creamy Pesto Chicken Thighs for extra flavor!)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)

For the Creamy Pesto Sauce:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup prepared pesto (store-bought or homemade – your call!)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chicken broth (or white wine, for extra depth)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving (Optional):

• 1 lb pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or your favorite shape!)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Extra Parmesan cheese, for grating

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Chicken:

1. First, pat your chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them get a nice sear. Trust me, it’s worth the extra step! Season them generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken breasts.
3. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. An internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is what you’re aiming for. If your chicken breasts are thick, you might need to cook them a little longer. Don’t be afraid to cut into one to check!
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest. This helps keep the juices in and ensures tender chicken. Tent it loosely with foil.

Whipping Up the Creamy Pesto Sauce:

1. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it! Burnt garlic is no bueno.
2. Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine) and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Those bits are flavor gold!
3. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
4. Stir in the pesto and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that pesto can be salty already, so taste before adding more salt!
5. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth or cream to thin it out. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a little longer to reduce.

Bringing It All Together:

1. Slice the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
2. Add the sliced chicken to the creamy pesto sauce and stir to coat.
3. If serving with pasta, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss to combine.

Serve and Enjoy!

1. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, and extra Parmesan cheese.

Tips and Tricks for Pesto Perfection

• Pesto Power: Fresh pesto is always best, but good quality store-bought pesto works in a pinch. Look for pesto made with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil. Avoid anything with too many preservatives or artificial ingredients.
• Chicken Choices: While this recipe calls for chicken breasts, you can absolutely use Creamy Pesto Chicken Thighs instead. Chicken thighs are more flavorful and stay moist, even if you accidentally overcook them a little (we’ve all been there!). Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Creamy Consistency: The key to a truly creamy sauce is using heavy cream. Half-and-half or milk will work in a pinch, but the sauce won’t be as rich and decadent.
• Pasta Pairings: Linguine and fettuccine are classic choices for creamy sauces, but any pasta shape will work. Penne, rotini, or even gnocchi would be delicious!
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat. You can also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
• Veggie Variety: Feel free to add some veggies to the dish. Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts would all be great additions. This makes for great Greens Dinner Ideas too!
• Make Ahead Magic: You can make the creamy pesto sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat it gently before adding the chicken.

Troubleshooting Your Creamy Pesto Chicken

• Sauce Too Thick? Add a tablespoon or two of chicken broth or cream at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
• Sauce Too Thin? Simmer the sauce over low heat for a few minutes longer, allowing it to reduce and thicken. You can also add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to the sauce to thicken it quickly. Just whisk it in and simmer for a minute or two until thickened.
• Chicken Dry? Don’t overcook the chicken! Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Also, letting the chicken rest before slicing it helps retain its juices.

Variations to Try

• Pesto Chicken Flatbread: Take those flavors and turn them into a Pesto Chicken Flatbread.
• Creamy Alfredo Chicken: Looking for something a little different? Try Creamy Alfredo Chicken for a similar creamy, cheesy experience.
• Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta: If you love garlic and Parmesan, you’ll adore Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta.
• Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine: Or go for something new and try Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine.
• Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes: Need a dump and go recipe? Try Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes for an easy dinner.
• Parmesan Garlic Chicken Pasta: For an even simpler pasta dish, check out Parmesan Garlic Chicken Pasta.

Why I Love This Creamy Pesto Chicken Recipe

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Recipe is a total winner in my book because it’s so versatile and customizable. You can easily adapt it to your own tastes and preferences. Plus, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Even picky eaters will love this dish! And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a creamy, cheesy pasta dish?

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – my go-to recipe for Creamy Pesto Chicken. I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think! Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy cooking!