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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

A delicious creamy chicken pesto pasta dish featuring chicken, rigatoni, and fresh vegetables in a rich sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 1008 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Slotted spoon
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 400 ml Carnation Everyday Creamer
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 1.5 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes sliced into strips
  • 0.5 cup basil pesto
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 0.5 cup ricotta cheese
  • 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1.5 quarts water for boiling pasta
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring water to a boil. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 1 ½ minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Add pasta to the same boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain and set aside.
  • Season chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter and add remaining olive oil. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the sun-dried tomato, sauté for 30 seconds.
  • Pour chicken broth and whisk in pesto until well combined.
  • Stir in Carnation Everyday Creamer and add ricotta and parmesan cheeses, and stir until melted and smooth.
  • Return the broccoli and add spinach.
  • Add the chicken and pasta. Toss until coated evenly with the sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
  • Add mozzarella cheese and more parmesan as needed. Toss.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot. Share and enjoy!

Notes

Make-ahead tip: The chicken can be seasoned and marinated up to 4 hours in advance for deeper flavor. Pasta water: Always reserve some starchy pasta water - it's the secret to a silky smooth sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. Cheese substitutions: Feel free to substitute the ricotta with cream cheese or mascarpone for a different flavor profile. Vegetable variations: Asparagus, bell peppers, or mushrooms work wonderfully in place of or in addition to the broccoli and spinach. Storage: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

Serving: 1mealCalories: 1008kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 47gFat: 61gSaturated Fat: 27gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 189mgSodium: 709mgPotassium: 1130mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 2529IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 334mgIron: 3mg
Keyword chicken pasta, Comfort Food, creamy pesto, one skillet meal
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