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Pesto Chicken Pasta

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake Everyone Will Love

A comforting and customizable creamy pesto chicken pasta bake that's quick to prepare and a crowd-pleaser.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Bake
  • 10.5 ounces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil For sautéing chicken
  • Salt & Pepper To taste
  • 2 tablespoons Butter For the creamy sauce
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup Heavy cream Plus 2 tablespoons
  • 1/2 cup Whole milk
  • 1/2 cup Basil pesto Homemade or store-bought
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese Aged is best
  • 3.5 ounces Baby spinach Optional
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup Extra Parmesan cheese For topping

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, sauté for 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Cool and cut into pieces.
  4. In the same skillet, melt butter, sauté garlic, then add heavy cream and whole milk. Stir until sauce thickens, then add pesto and Parmesan, mixing well.
  5. Add cooked pasta, diced chicken, and spinach to the sauce. Toss gently until coated.
  6. Transfer mixture to baking dish, top with mozzarella and extra Parmesan.
  7. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  8. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 10mg

Notes

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake is perfect for busy weeknights and is easily customizable to suit your dietary needs.

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