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; 3 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 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 a comforting yet flavorful weeknight dinner, this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is where it’s at. It’s got tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, herbaceous pesto cream sauce all cooked up in one pan—fast, simple, and utterly delicious. Stick around; I’ll walk you through every step to make sure it turns out perfectly!

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

I’ve made this creamy pesto chicken pasta countless times when I needed a hearty meal that felt special but didn’t require hours in the kitchen. It’s got the perfect balance of richness and fresh basil flavor, and since it’s all cooked in one skillet, cleanup is a breeze. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep this recipe in your dinner rotation.

One-Pan Wonder: Everything goes straight from stove to table in your skillet, so fewer dishes and less hassle.
Rich, Creamy Sauce: The combination of heavy cream, cheeses, and basil pesto creates a sauce that’s both indulgent and fresh.
Customizable: You can easily add veggies or a little heat to make it just how you like it.
Family Friendly: The flavors appeal to both kids and adults alike — it’s comfort food everyone asks for!

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 plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture. From tender chicken to the vibrant basil pesto, here’s what you need to know when shopping and prepping.

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: I like penne because its ridges hold onto the creamy sauce beautifully, but rigatoni or fusilli work great too.
Butter & Olive Oil: These help get that golden sear on the chicken and prevent sticking while adding richness.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking. You could also use thighs if you prefer juicier meat.
Italian Seasoning & Onion Powder: These build a classic flavor base that complements the pesto without overpowering it.
Garlic: Adds just the right kick of aroma that brings the sauce alive.
Chicken Broth: This adds a savory depth to the cream sauce without being too heavy.
Heavy Cream: The star of the sauce, lending luxurious creaminess and helping the cheese melt perfectly.
Parmesan & Mozzarella Cheese: Parmesan adds sharpness, mozzarella gives gooey stretchiness — the dream combo!
Basil Pesto: Here’s where the fresh herb flavor shines. I always stir it in last to keep that vibrant color and taste.

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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

I love sharing this dish exactly as it is, but you should absolutely feel free to swap or add in ingredients to suit your taste or what’s in your fridge. It’s a very forgiving recipe that welcomes creativity.

Variation: I sometimes toss in fresh baby spinach or halved cherry tomatoes when I want to sneak in some veggies — they wilt right into the sauce, adding a fresh pop.
Dietary Mod: For a lighter version, try swapping heavy cream for half-and-half and using less cheese — it won’t be quite as rich but still tasty.
Make It Spicy: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes in step 2 during chicken seasoning adds a nice gentle heat that's super satisfying.
Richer Sauce: Adding a couple tablespoons of cream cheese while the sauce simmers gives it an extra velvety touch I adore on chillier nights.

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

Step 1: Cook Your Pasta Perfectly

Start by boiling salted water and cooking the penne until just al dente. I like to check a minute before the package says because the pasta will cook a bit more when it joins the sauce later. Drain and set it aside, but don’t rinse — that starchy surface helps the sauce cling beautifully.

Step 2: Season and Sear Your Chicken

Mix up your chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Then heat 2 tablespoons of butter along with olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan!—until it’s golden brown and cooked through, usually about 5-7 minutes. Set the chicken aside with any juices to keep all that flavor.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Pesto Sauce

Lower the heat to medium, and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the same skillet (you want to keep that tasty fond at the bottom). Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits—that’s pure flavor gold! Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce to medium-low to let it simmer.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese In

Add Parmesan and mozzarella cheese slowly in small batches, stirring constantly to get that ultra-smooth, velvety sauce. Give it a taste to check seasoning and simmer gently, stirring every now and then, for about 8 minutes until the sauce thickens. This step takes patience, but it’s worth it for the luscious texture.

Step 5: Finish With Pasta, Chicken, and Pesto

Return the cooked pasta and chicken into the skillet along with all the juices, then stir in the basil pesto just before serving. This keeps the sauce bright green and fresh tasting—trust me, adding pesto too early makes it dull and bitter. Warm everything together so the pasta is fully coated and ready to serve.

Top Tip

From my experience making this creamy pesto chicken pasta in a skillet, timing and heat control are key. Too high heat can burn the dairy and pesto; too low won’t thicken the sauce properly. Here are a few tips I’ve learned that ensure the best results every time.

Perfect Sear: Don’t rush the chicken; let it form a golden crust before turning, which locks in moistness.
Low & Slow Sauce: Simmer the cream sauce gently to prevent it from curdling and to develop fuller flavor.
Fresh Pesto Finish: Always add pesto last off the heat or on very low just before serving to preserve its vibrant flavor.
Cheese Timing: Add cheese gradually, stirring constantly to avoid clumps and get a silky sauce.

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of extra freshly grated Parmesan and a few torn fresh basil leaves. Sometimes a crack of black pepper adds a nice aromatic kick. If you want a little crunch, toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds work beautifully too!

Side Dishes

This dish is quite rich, so I usually pair it with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette also makes a fantastic side to mop up every last drop of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I like serving this creamy pesto chicken pasta family-style right in the skillet it was cooked in—that rustic look is so inviting. You could also plate it in warm pasta bowls topped with extra pesto swirls and microgreens for a restaurant vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers of this creamy pesto chicken pasta store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep it tightly sealed to prevent the sauce from thickening too much.

Freezing

If you want to freeze portions, I recommend freezing without the pesto added. Freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and stirring in fresh pesto.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving at high power, which tends to dry out the chicken and make the sauce grainy. Finish with a fresh spoonful of pesto stirred in last to revive the vibrant flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While penne is ideal because it holds the sauce well, other shapes like rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle will also work wonderfully. Just adjust cooking times if needed.

Why do you add pesto at the end?

Pesto contains fresh basil and oils that lose their bright flavor and vibrant color when cooked for too long. Adding it at the end preserves its fresh aroma and prevents it from turning bitter and brown.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Chicken thighs are a great alternative and tend to stay juicier and more flavorful. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook until no longer pink inside.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, skip the chicken and add hearty veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted bell peppers. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep the flavors balanced.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe holds a special spot in my heart because it turns simple ingredients into something truly comforting and elegant without fuss. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. So grab a skillet, gather your ingredients, and let’s make dinner something to look forward to. You’ll be glad you did!