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 a comfort meal that feels fancy but comes together in one pan, you’ve got to try this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something impressive but easy. Let me tell you why it’s become one of my go-to dishes!

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 in a Skillet Recipe hits all the right notes – creamy, herby, cheesy, and just the right amount of indulgence without making a mess of your kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe I gladly come back to whenever I want a hearty dinner that feels homemade yet special.

One-Pan Wonder: You cook everything right in your skillet, which means fewer dishes and quicker cleanup.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of creamy sauce, melted cheeses, and vibrant basil pesto creates a harmony of tastes that’s hard to beat.
Customizable: Add in your favorite veggies or kick it up a notch with spice – this recipe is a flexible crowd-pleaser.
Weeknight Friendly: Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy evenings without sacrificing flavor.

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

Every ingredient in this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is chosen for maximum flavor and creamy texture. From the tender bite-sized chicken soaked in Italian seasoning to the luscious blend of heavy cream and cheeses, each element plays a crucial role. Here’s a quick rundown to help you shop smart and prep like a pro.

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 up beautifully to the creamy sauce without getting mushy – cooking al dente is key here.
Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken to perfection.
Olive Oil: Keeps the chicken from sticking and enhances flavor without overpowering.
Chicken Breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces to cook quickly and absorb all those beautiful seasonings.
Italian Seasoning: A fragrant blend that delivers classic herby notes with minimal effort.
Onion Powder: Deepens the savory background flavor without extra chopping.
Coarse Sea Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning throughout the cooking process.
Garlic: Freshly minced, it infuses the sauce with that irresistible aroma.
Chicken Broth: Adds umami and thins out the cream slightly for the perfect sauce consistency.
Heavy Cream: The star of the sauce, delivering that rich, silky mouthfeel.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best to melt smoothly and give a sharp, nutty kick.
Mozzarella Cheese: Offers luscious meltiness and creamy stretch.
Basil Pesto: Added last to preserve that bright, fresh basil flavor — don’t skip this magic step!

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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 thing I really love about this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to switch things up. Whether you want to sneak in veggies, add a touch of heat, or make it extra indulgent, it always adapts well. Let me share some tweaks I’ve tried that you might like.

Variation: Adding fresh baby spinach right before the pasta finishes cooking adds a lovely pop of green and extra nutrients without overwhelming the dish. It wilts quickly and blends seamlessly.
Make it Richer: Stir in a few tablespoons of cream cheese with the heavy cream for a silkier, thicker sauce. It’s a game changer for cheese lovers.
Add Spice: I sometimes sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic to get a subtle heat that balances the creaminess.
Vegetarian Swap: If you want to go meatless, pan-seared mushrooms or grilled tofu cubes are fantastic substitutes that soak up the pesto flavor well.

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

Step 1: Cook the Pasta to Perfect Al Dente

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your penne pasta according to the package instructions—usually about 10-12 minutes. I recommend testing it a minute or two before the suggested time so you can catch that perfect al dente texture: firm but not crunchy. Drain it and set it aside while you work on the chicken and sauce.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken

In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This little step pumps up the flavor without you having to do too much. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter with olive oil in your stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and let it brown nicely without disturbing it too soon—about 5 minutes per side for that golden crust. Once cooked through, transfer the chicken to a plate and save those tasty browned bits in the pan—they’re flavor gold!

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in that same skillet. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t let it burn! Carefully pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with your spoon. Those bits add a lovely depth of flavor your sauce just can’t do without. Bring it to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Cheese It Up

Turn the heat down to medium-low and gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese, stirring continuously until each addition melts smoothly into the sauce. This slow melting process creates a silky, luscious texture that coats every bite of pasta perfectly. Give your sauce a taste—add more salt or pepper if needed. Let it simmer gently, stirring every now and then, until it thickens just enough to cling to the pasta, about 8 minutes.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Finally, add the cooked pasta, seared chicken with its juices, and the basil pesto to the skillet. Stir everything gently but thoroughly so every pasta piece is gloriously coated in that creamy pesto sauce. The pesto adds a fresh, herbal brightness that really lifts the whole dish. Now you’re ready to dish it out and enjoy!

Top Tip

Over the years, this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe taught me a few things worth sharing, especially about timing and handling pesto. These little pointers can elevate your meal from good to unforgettable.

Add Pesto at the End: Always add pesto just before serving to keep its vibrant color and fresh basil flavor intact—heating it too early can turn it bitter.
Sear Chicken in Batches: Avoid overcrowding your skillet for perfectly browned chicken instead of steamed pieces.
Use Freshly Grated Cheese: It melts better and prevents clumping in your sauce for that smooth texture everyone loves.
Simmer for Flavor: Letting the sauce thicken gently helps deepen the flavors and achieve that irresistible creamy consistency.

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish my bowl of creamy pesto chicken pasta with a sprinkle of more fresh Parmesan and some chopped fresh basil leaves for a splash of color and an extra herby punch. A squeeze of lemon juice over the top can brighten the richness, and if you’re feeling fancy, a handful of toasted pine nuts or walnuts adds a lovely crunch that contrasts the creaminess beautifully.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with simple sides like a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted vegetables like asparagus or zucchini. Garlic bread or a fresh baguette also works well to help mop up any leftover sauce — trust me, you won’t want to waste a drop!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions or dinner parties, I’ve served this pasta in individual mini skillets or ramekins. It keeps things hot longer and looks so charming on the table. You can also layer the pasta briefly under a broiler with extra mozzarella on top for a golden bubbly crust — it’s a fun little twist that people rave about!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftover creamy pesto chicken pasta into an airtight container and refrigerate it. It usually keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. If you want to freshen it up before eating, just stir in a spoonful of fresh pesto before reheating.

Freezing

I don’t typically freeze this pasta because the cream sauce can sometimes separate when thawed, but if you want to, freeze it without pesto. Thaw overnight in the fridge and add fresh pesto when reheating for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm leftovers over low heat on the stove with a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Microwave works too but stir halfway through to avoid hot spots. Adding a little fresh pesto right after warming keeps the dish tasting bright and fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other pasta shapes for this recipe?

Absolutely! While penne works great to trap the sauce, fusilli, farfalle, or rigatoni would all be excellent choices. Just make sure to cook them al dente to prevent mushiness.

Why do you add pesto at the end instead of cooking it in the sauce?

Pesto contains fresh basil and oils that quickly lose their vibrant flavor and can turn bitter when overcooked. Adding it at the end preserves its bright color and fresh taste, making the dish more flavorful.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a creamy plant-based milk, and swap Parmesan and mozzarella for dairy-free cheese alternatives. Keep the cooking times the same, but watch for sauce thickness and adjust as needed.

How can I add more vegetables to this dish?

Adding veggies like fresh baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms works beautifully. Just toss them in during the sauce simmering step so they cook gently and blend with the flavors.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe has earned a special spot in my cooking rotation because it combines simplicity with seriously delicious flavors. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, it never disappoints. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do—grab your skillet, whip it up, and savor every creamy, cheesy bite!