Name: Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 16 oz. penne pasta, cooked al dente; 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt, or to taste; 1/8 teaspoon pepper, or to taste; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 cups heavy cream; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded; 7 oz. basil pesto

If you're craving something comforting that comes together in just one pan, this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is an absolute game changer. Rich, flavorful, and so easy—you'll love whipping this up for a weeknight dinner or when company drops by unexpectedly.

Creamy Pesto Chicken - A close-up view of a stainless steel pan filled with creamy penne pasta mixed with browned pieces of seasoned chicken. The pasta is coated in a pale yellow sauce with visible black pepper and herbs throughout. Small bright green basil leaves are scattered on top, along with finely grated white cheese sprinkled over the dish. A wooden spoon rests inside the pan, partially lifting some pasta, showing the thick creamy texture. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface with a block of cheese and some green leaves blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This creamy pesto chicken pasta feels like a hug in a bowl, combining tender chicken, cheesy sauce, and fresh pesto all cooked right in your skillet. I love how quick and fuss-free it is, yet it looks and tastes like something from a fancy trattoria.

One-Skillet Wonder: Everything cooks in one stainless steel skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
Vibrant Flavors: The fresh basil pesto added at the end keeps the sauce bright without turning bitter, which is a little trick I learned over time.
Comfort Food, Elevated: Creamy, cheesy, with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta—a winning combo that’s both homey and special.
Flexible & Customizable: You can easily add veggies, spice it up, or make it richer depending on your mood or pantry.

Creamy Pesto Chicken - The image shows a close-up of creamy pasta with three visible layers. The base layer is penne pasta cooked to a soft yellow color and coated evenly with a smooth, light beige sauce mixed with small black pepper specks. On the second layer, there are pieces of cooked chicken with a golden-brown crust, adding texture and color contrast. The top layer has small green basil leaves scattered across the pasta along with fine shavings of white cheese sprinkled throughout. A wooden spoon lifts some pasta from a white bowl, and the whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe plays a key role. The mix of cheeses melts into a velvety sauce, while the pesto adds that fresh herbal punch that keeps everything lively. Shopping tip: grab good-quality pesto or better yet, make your own if you can—it’s worth the extra effort!

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Flat lay of fresh basil leaves with deep green color and delicate texture, bite-sized raw chicken breast pieces showing soft pink flesh, plump garlic cloves with smooth white skin, golden yellow butter cubes with creamy texture, a wedge of Parmesan cheese boasting a pale ivory hue and granular surface, bright green basil pesto with a slightly oily sheen, uncooked penne pasta in pale beige with smooth ridges, and a scattering of dried Italian seasoning herbs in mixed green and brown tones, all beautifully arranged in a natural flow with overlapping edges and small gaps between each ingredient, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Penne Pasta: Holds the creamy sauce perfectly with its tube shape, ensuring every bite is saucy and satisfying.
Butter & Olive Oil: Butter adds richness, and olive oil helps with sautéing without burning.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Easy to cook evenly and absorbs flavors beautifully when cut into bite-sized pieces.
Italian Seasoning & Onion Powder: Adds savory depth without overwhelming the fresh pesto.
Garlic: A must-have for that aromatic foundation in the sauce.
Chicken Broth & Heavy Cream: The combo creates a luscious base that balances lightness and richness.
Parmesan & Mozzarella Cheese: Parmesan brings sharpness while mozzarella gives that melty, gooey texture everyone loves.
Basil Pesto: The star of the dish for its fresh, vibrant herbiness and subtle nuttiness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to tailor to your taste or what you have on hand. I often switch up the cheese combo or toss in some seasonal veggies, and it still turns out fantastic every time.

Veggie Boost: Whenever I want to sneak in some greens, I add baby spinach or cherry tomatoes right before finishing the sauce—it gives a fresh pop and lovely color.
Heat It Up: I like adding crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick that contrasts nicely with the creamy sauce.
Richer Sauce: Throwing in a tablespoon or two of cream cheese takes it up a notch on ultra-creamy comfort.
Gluten-Free Version: Just swap penne with your favorite gluten-free pasta—I've tried it and it works beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Perfectly Cook Your Pasta

Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil—treat it like a mini ocean party for your pasta! Cook the penne just until al dente, meaning it should have a tiny bit of bite. Drain and set aside while you get the sauce going. Trust me, this texture keeps your dish from getting mushy later.

Step 2: Season and Sear That Chicken

In a bowl, toss the cubed chicken with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heating a stainless steel skillet over medium-high, melt 2 tablespoons butter with olive oil—this combo prevents sticking and boosts flavor. Sear the chicken cubes without crowding the pan, letting them get a gorgeous golden crust. This step is crucial for developing flavor and keeping chicken juicy. Once cooked, transfer to a plate and resist the urge to taste just yet!

Step 3: Build That Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the same skillet. Toss in minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t rush this, garlic infuses so much aroma. Next, pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any flavorful browned bits stuck on the skillet bottom (this is where magic happens!). Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then lower heat.

Step 4: Melt Cheese and Thicken with Love

Add Parmesan and mozzarella a little at a time, stirring continuously until the cheese completely melts into a silky sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—you can always add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of Italian seasoning here. Let the sauce gently simmer for about 8 minutes until it thickens nicely. Don't rush it; this patience pays off with a luscious, clingy sauce.

Step 5: The Final Toss

Return your chicken (with any resting juices) to the skillet, then add the cooked pasta and dollop the pesto on top—stir everything together until the pasta is beautifully coated in that green, creamy goodness. The pesto goes in last to keep it tasting fresh, bright, and avoid bitterness. Serve immediately, maybe with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan on top!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned these little tricks make this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe shine every time. Don’t skip the sauté of garlic or the gentle simmering to get that perfect sauce thickness.

Use Room-Temp Ingredients: For smooth melting cheeses and cream to blend effortlessly, bring them to room temperature first.
Don't Overcook the Chicken: Bite-sized pieces sear quickly; pulling them off the heat too late makes them dry.
Stir Continuously During Cheese Melting: This avoids clumps and keeps your sauce silky.
Add the Pesto Last: Heating pesto too long makes it bitter—add it right before serving for a fresh flavor.

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with a handful of fresh basil leaves, a light sprinkle of extra Parmesan, and a few cracks of black pepper. Sometimes, a quick drizzle of good olive oil just before serving takes it over the top. These simple touches add freshness and a touch of elegance.

Side Dishes

Pair this creamy pesto chicken pasta with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or some roasted veggies like asparagus or broccoli. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette also goes perfectly, soaking up any leftover sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the pasta in a rustic cast-iron skillet right at the table, garnished with colorful pesto swirls and edible flowers for a festive touch. It’s cozy and impressive—perfect for a dinner party where you want to wow without fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find letting it rest overnight actually helps the flavors marry even more, though the sauce thickens, so be ready to loosen it up when reheating.

Freezing

This dish freezes okay, but fresh pesto’s brightness fades when frozen. I recommend freezing without the pesto, then stirring in fresh pesto after reheating to revive that vibrant flavor.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Microwave works too, but stir every 30 seconds for even heating. Fresh pesto added after warming keeps the dish tasting fresh and delightful.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While penne works great for holding the sauce, farfalle, fusilli, or rigatoni can be excellent substitutes depending on what you have available. Just adjust cooking times to package instructions.

What if I don’t have fresh pesto?

If fresh pesto isn’t on hand, store-bought pesto is fine as long as it’s good quality. You can also make a quick pesto by blending basil, garlic, nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil. Adding it at the end of cooking is key for the best flavor.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can! Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream, and use dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor. The pesto is usually dairy-free, but check labels just in case.

How do I prevent the pesto from turning bitter?

Great question! Avoid adding pesto while the sauce is still boiling or very hot, as heat changes its flavor and color. Add pesto off the heat or at the last moment during mixing, and add fresh pesto again when reheating leftovers for the best taste.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen whenever I want something that's quick, indulgent, and packed with flavor. I hope you give it a try and find it as comforting and versatile as I do—plus, it'll make everyone ask for seconds! Remember, the pesto trick is key; keep it fresh and vibrant for the best results. Happy cooking, friend!