Creamy Chicken Pesto Linguine

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this indulgent Creamy Chicken Pesto Linguine, a perfect blend of rich, herby flavors and comforting textures. This dish combines tender strips of seasoned chicken, al dente linguine, and a luscious pesto-cream sauce, made extra luxurious with melty Parmesan cheese. Bursting with vibrant cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, it's a colorful crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare yet sophisticated enough for entertaining. Ready in just 40 minutes, this creamy pasta recipe is ideal for busy evenings or a special occasion. Finish it with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a gentle kick and extra Parmesan for an irresistible touch. Perfect for lovers of creamy pasta and Italian-inspired dishes!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Linguine pasta
• 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 cup Pesto sauce
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine pasta according to the package instructions, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 5

Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let the cream heat through for 2-3 minutes, then add the pesto sauce. Stir until the sauce is smooth and well combined.

Step 6

Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until melted. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the sauce. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes to warm them through.

Step 8

Add the cooked linguine pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the creamy pesto sauce.

Step 9

Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil on top, along with the optional red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

Step 10

Serve the Creamy Chicken Pesto Linguine immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1478.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4330.2

Total Fat 292.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 28.5g
Cholesterol 796.9mg	0%
Sodium 7199.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 210.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.6g	0%
Total Sugars 13.7g
Protein 185.4g	0%

Vitamin D 13.7IU	0%
Calcium 1179.1mg	0%
Iron 23.7mg	0%
Potassium 2471.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.5%

Protein: 17.6%

Carbs: 19.9%