Chicken Penne with Pesto Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup homemade or store-bought pesto sauce
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
4. Add pesto sauce and heavy cream to the skillet and stir well. Cook for 3-4 more minutes, until heated through but not boiling.
5. Add cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the pesto sauce.
6. Add cooked chicken to the skillet and toss with the pasta and pesto sauce.
7. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
8. Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves and serve hot.

Verdict

This Chicken Penne with Pesto Sauce makes for a flavorful and delicious pasta dish that is perfect for a quick and easy dinner. The combination of tender chicken, al dente penne pasta and rich pesto sauce makes it a satisfying meal that everyone will love. You can also customize the spice level to suit your taste by adjusting the amount of garlic and black pepper used.

Serving Suggestions

This dish can be served on its own or as a side to a wide variety of main courses. For a complete meal, serve it with garlic bread or a side salad. It is also great for meal prep and can be stored in the refrigerator for easy reheating later.