Chicken Pesto Pasta
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner loaded with juicy chicken and tender asparagus. Add either a homemade pesto or your favorite store-bought pesto sauce to brighten and lighten up the flavors of the Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts, trimmed
- 1 tsp salt, (divided)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 2" pieces
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 Tbsp pesto sauce
- 4 Tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz fettuccini pasta, (or linguine)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water* according to package instructions to your desired doneness. While pasta is cooking, proceed with the recipe then add drained cooked pasta to the sauce in step 5.
- Cook Chicken - Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise and season all sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat with 2 Tbsp olive oil. When oil is hot, add chicken in a single layer and saute until fully cooked through (3 min per side). Remove from pan and rest 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized strips.
- Saute Asparagus - Add 2 Tbsp olive oil to the same pan with asparagus pieces. Sautee stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes or until crisp tender.
- Make the Sauce - Add 2 cups heavy whipping cream, bring to a simmer and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 4 Tbsp pesto then add chicken breasts and cook 2 minutes. Season sauce with 1/2 tsp salt or to taste.
- Combine and Serve - Add cooked pasta, stirring to coat noodles in sauce. Remove from heat and serve right away. Garnish with basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
*Salt should be added to pasta cooking water so that the water tastes like ocean water before adding the pasta. This will season the pasta from the inside out. Plan on 1 1/2 Tbsp fine sea salt per 6 quarts water, or 2 Tbsp Morton kosher salt, or 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Amount per Serving
Calories
535
% Daily Value*
Fat
35
g
54
%
Saturated Fat
15
g
94
%
Cholesterol
154
mg
51
%
Sodium
459
mg
20
%
Potassium
472
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
34
g
11
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
2
g
2
%
Protein
20
g
40
%
Vitamin A
1500
IU
30
%
Vitamin C
4.2
mg
5
%
Calcium
82
mg
8
%
Iron
2.3
mg
13
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
