Name: Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 oz Pasta (Penne, Rigatoni, or Gluten-Free); 2 cups Diced Chicken Breasts (Boneless, skinless); 2 tbsp Olive Oil; to taste Salt; to taste Pepper; 2 tbsp Butter; 2 cloves Garlic, minced; 1 cup Heavy Cream; 1 cup Whole Milk; 1 cup Basil Pesto (Store-bought or homemade); 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (Aged recommended); 2 cups Spinach (Can substitute with mushrooms); 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Description

A delicious and creamy pasta dish featuring chicken, pesto, and a blend of cheeses that is perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz Pasta (Penne, Rigatoni, or Gluten-Free)
2 cups Diced Chicken Breasts (Boneless, skinless)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
to taste Salt
to taste Pepper
2 tbsp Butter
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Whole Milk
1 cup Basil Pesto (Store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (Aged recommended)
2 cups Spinach (Can substitute with mushrooms)
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta for 2 minutes less than package instructions, then drain and set aside.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes.
In the same skillet, add butter and let it melt. Sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute, add heavy cream and whole milk, and simmer until sauce thickens slightly. Stir in pesto and Parmesan until creamy.
Gently fold cooked chicken, pasta, and optional spinach into the sauce until well-coated.
Pour the creamy pasta mixture into the greased baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and more Parmesan.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This dish can be easily customized with vegetables or different kinds of cheese.
Consider adding mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
For a spicier kick, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 600
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 45g
Cholesterol: 140mg