Description
A heartwarming dish of penne pasta tossed in a rich creamy pesto sauce with sautéed chicken and vibrant vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless chicken (breast or thighs)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sautéed mushrooms
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and sauté until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add a touch more olive oil if needed, and sauté minced garlic for a minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently, stirring often.
- Add the pesto and mix well. If too thick, thin it with reserved pasta water. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, toss to coat in the sauce, and then add the cooked penne to combine all ingredients.
- Just before serving, add sautéed mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Substitute seasonal vegetables or protein alternatives as desired. For added flavor, consider a sprinkle of crushed red pepper or a dash of lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: creamy pesto, chicken penne, comfort food, pasta recipe, Italian cuisine