One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Delight
One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breast, boneless and skinless ($6.25)
- 2 tablespoons of butter ($0.28)
- 2 garlic cloves ($0.16)
- 1/2 lb. penne noodles ($0.67)
- 1.5 cups of chicken stock ($0.20)
- 1 cup of dairy milk ($0.19)
- 3 oz. of cream cheese* ($0.80)
- 1/3 cup of basil pesto sauce ($0.73)
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese ($0.44)
- freshly ground black pepper ($0.03)
- a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes ($0.02)
- 3 cups of fresh spinach leaves ($0.90)
- 1/4 cup of sliced sun-dried tomatoes ($1.10)
Instructions
Step 1
Start by taking your chicken breast and cutting it into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch in size. This will help them cook evenly and absorb all those delicious flavors we’re about to add. Next, grab a deep skillet and place it on your stove over medium heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of butter to the skillet and watch as it melts, creating a luscious base for your dish. Once the butter is fully melted and begins to bubble gently, it’s time to add the chicken pieces. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they develop a lovely golden brown crust on the outside. You want them slightly browned, which means they’ll not only look great but also have that nice depth of flavor.
Step 2
While your chicken is sizzling away in the skillet, it’s the perfect time to prep your garlic. Take a few cloves and mince them finely, letting their aromatic goodness fill your kitchen. Once the chicken has cooked for about 5-7 minutes and is starting to turn golden brown, add your minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté everything together for an additional minute, stirring frequently. You want the garlic to become fragrant but not browned; it should just start to soften and release its amazing flavor.
Step 3
Now it’s time to bring everything together! Start by adding your uncooked pasta to the skillet along with the chicken broth. As you do this, give everything a good stir to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan—those bits are packed with flavor! Next, cover the skillet with a lid, turn the heat up to medium-high, and keep an eye on it as you wait for the broth to come to a rapid boil. This should take just a few minutes. Once you see that bubbling action, it’s time to lower the heat to a gentle simmer, allowing the pasta to cook and absorb all that rich broth goodness, which should take about 10-12 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom and everything cooks evenly.
Step 4
Once your broth is bubbling away, give the pasta a gentle stir to ensure it’s well mixed. Then, pop the lid back on and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 8 minutes, during which time you'll want to keep an eye on it. Every couple of minutes, give the pasta a quick stir—this will help it cook evenly and absorb that flavorful broth. Just be sure to replace the lid promptly each time to keep all that steam in! You’ll know it’s ready when the pasta is tender and most of the broth has been soaked up, creating a creamy, delicious base.
Step 5
Once your pasta is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed, it's time to create that creamy goodness. Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the milk, followed by the cream cheese cut into small chunks. Stir it gently as you go, allowing the cream cheese to melt into the sauce; this should take about 3-5 minutes. As the mixture begins to come together and turn creamy, sprinkle in the pesto and give it a good stir until everything is well combined. To finish off this luscious sauce, add the grated Parmesan cheese, mixing it in until it melts and you have a beautifully smooth and rich coating for your pasta. Enjoy watching it transform into a comforting dish!
Step 6
Once your pasta is cooked and creamy, it’s time to add a burst of freshness! If you’re using fresh spinach, toss it into the pot along with the sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Stir everything together gently on low heat for about 2-3 minutes, or just until the spinach is beautifully wilted and vibrant. This is your cue to take the pasta off the heat. Now, to elevate the flavors, generously crack some black pepper over the top and sprinkle a pinch of crushed red pepper for a little kick. Give it a quick stir to combine, and then it’s ready to serve. Enjoy your creamy, colorful creation!
Nutrition Information
My Tip
For a creamy texture in your One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta, make sure to let the cream cheese soften at room temperature before adding it to the skillet. This will help it blend smoothly into the sauce, creating that luscious creaminess we all love.
Leftovers
After enjoying your One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta, store any leftovers in a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to reheat, warm it gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk to keep it creamy and delicious.
Make It Your Own
For a delightful twist, swap the chicken for sautéed mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. This will give you a rich, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy pesto sauce!