Creamy Pesto Chicken and Linguine
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Creamy Pesto Chicken and Linguine, a luxurious, flavor-packed pasta dish that's as easy as it is indulgent. Tender linguine is perfectly coated in a rich, silky sauce made with fragrant basil pesto, heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Juicy, golden-seared chicken slices and bursts of sweet cherry tomatoes bring depth and brightness to every bite. Ready in just 40 minutes, this dish strikes the perfect balance of comforting and elegant, ideal for a quick family meal or an impressive yet effortless dinner party entrée. Garnished with fresh basil and extra parmesan, this recipe is a true celebration of Italian-inspired flavors that will keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- 2 pieces chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Directions
Step 1
Cook the linguine pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling, salted water. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
Step 2
Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Step 3
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and lightly golden. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.
Step 4
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 5
Pour in the heavy cream and pesto, stirring together until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
Step 6
Grate 0.5 cup of the parmesan cheese into the sauce and stir until melted and well incorporated.
Step 7
Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips, then return them to the skillet along with the cherry tomatoes. Gently toss to combine with the sauce.
Step 8
Add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy pesto sauce. If needed, use the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to adjust the sauce's consistency.
Step 9
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle with the remaining grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
Step 10
Serve warm, garnished with extra basil leaves if desired. Enjoy your Creamy Pesto Chicken and Linguine!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1502.0g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 4121.1 |
| Total Fat 257.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 91.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 843.8mg | 0% |
| Sodium 6895.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 214.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 12.0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 23.5g | |
| Protein 205.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1953.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 22.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2231.0mg | 0% |
Source of Calories