Go Back
Creamy pesto chicken pasta served in a bowl with basil garnish.

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

A delightful and creamy pasta dish loaded with flavors of tender chicken and fragrant pesto, perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Main Ingredients
  • 400 g 400g fettuccine The star of our dish, fettuccine is a flat pasta that beautifully captures the sauce.
  • 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp olive oil Adds richness and a hint of fruity flavor.
  • 1 piece 1 smoked chicken breast, shredded Infuses the dish with a comforting smokiness.
  • 1 cup 1 cup cream Creates a wonderfully velvety and indulgent sauce.
  • 100 g 100g pesto Brings the dish to life with fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts.
Toppings and Garnishes
  • to taste Parmesan to serve Adds an extra layer of umami.
  • to taste Fresh basil to garnish Adds a touch of herbal freshness.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. In a large frying pan over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once heated, reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded smoked chicken and warm it through for a couple of minutes.
  2. Pour in the cream and pesto, stirring the mixture to combine while allowing it to bubble gently.
Combining and Serving
  1. Once the sauce is bubbling, turn off the heat and add the drained fettuccine to the frying pan. Toss the pasta in the sauce until thoroughly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Dish the creamy chicken pesto pasta into bowls, top with freshly grated parmesan, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

For added flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when warming the chicken. You can also incorporate vegetables like sun-dried tomatoes or spinach into the sauce.