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 looking for a cozy, one-pan wonder that’ll become your go-to dinner, you’ve got to try this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe. It’s packed with tender chicken, luscious cream sauce, and that vibrant pesto flavor you can’t resist. Stick around—I’m sharing all my tips so you nail it perfectly every time.

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 is like a warm embrace on a plate. I remember making it on a cold weeknight when I barely had the energy to cook—yet it came together so quickly and felt luxurious enough for company. You’re going to love how simple ingredients transform into something that tastes way fancier than it is.

One-Skillet Convenience: You make everything in just one pan, so cleanup is a breeze.
Rich, Creamy Sauce: The blend of heavy cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, and pesto creates a sauce that’s dreamy, silky, and irresistibly flavorful.
Customizable and Flexible: It’s easy to toss in veggies, add a little spice, or make it extra cheesy depending on your mood.
Family-Friendly Flavor: This recipe pleases adults and kids alike—perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.

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 crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture. The star is definitely the pesto—it adds that fresh basil punch you don’t get from just cheese and cream. Here are a few insider tips to help you shop smart:

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 recommend penne because its tubular shape catches the creamy sauce perfectly.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cutting into bite-sized pieces helps everything cook evenly and keeps mealtime quick.
Butter and Olive Oil: Butter lends richness while olive oil helps get a nice sear on the chicken without burning.
Italian Seasoning & Onion Powder: These bring that herby, savory backbone to the chicken—don’t skip them!
Heavy Cream: This is key for that luscious texture. Whole milk just won’t give the same creamy indulgence.
Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese: Parmesan adds sharpness while mozzarella gives melty, gooey goodness.
Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth and keeps the sauce balanced.
Basil Pesto: Added at the end for maximum flavor and freshness—this makes the dish shine.
Garlic: Sautéed until fragrant, it’s the aromatic base that wakes up the whole skillet.

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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 making this creamy pesto chicken pasta my own with small tweaks. You should feel free to adjust the recipe to suit whatever you have on hand or crave that day.

Veggie Boost: I often stir in fresh baby spinach or halved cherry tomatoes with the cream sauce—adds color, nutrition, and freshness.
Add Some Heat: A few red chili flakes go a long way if you want a spicy kick; I like this on weekends.
Cheesy Upgrade: Mixing in some cream cheese makes the sauce even silkier and richer when I’m feeling indulgent.
Gluten-Free Version: Swap the penne for gluten-free pasta, and you’re all set without sacrificing texture.

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

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Al Dente

Start by boiling salted water and cooking your penne pasta just until al dente—meaning it’s tender but still with a slight bite. Don’t overcook here because the pasta will finish cooking in the sauce later. Once done, drain and set aside. I like to toss it with a little olive oil so it doesn’t stick while I prep the chicken.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken

Pat the chicken pieces dry and toss them with the Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with olive oil—that combo gives a beautiful sear without burning. Spread the chicken out in a single layer and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate but leave all the flavorful browned bits in the skillet.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly, about 30 seconds, until fragrant—you’ll know because your kitchen will smell amazing. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits (that’s flavor gold!). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.

Step 4: Melt in the Cheeses

Add Parmesan and mozzarella cheese in small batches, stirring continuously until melted and the sauce turns silky-smooth. This slow addition prevents clumping and creates that luscious creaminess we all want. Taste the sauce and tweak the seasoning as needed—it may need a pinch more salt or pepper depending on your broth.

Step 5: Combine Pasta, Chicken & Pesto

Finally, add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet along with the pesto. Gently stir it all together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy pesto sauce. Pro tip: Adding pesto toward the end preserves its bright herbal flavor and keeps it from turning brown or bitter during cooking.

Step 6: Serve Hot and Enjoy!

Dish out this comforting creamy pesto chicken pasta right away for best flavor and texture. I promise, your family or guests will be asking for seconds (and the recipe!).

Top Tip

After countless times making this dish, I learned a few key tricks that elevate the final result and save you from cooking mishaps. These tips come from real kitchen experience and trust me—they make a difference.

Don’t Overcook Pasta: Always aim for al dente with your pasta—it finishes cooking in the sauce and prevents mushiness.
Use a Stainless Steel Skillet for Searing: It creates better browning on the chicken compared to nonstick, adding extra flavor.
Add Pesto Last: Pesto’s fresh basil and garlic notes fade quickly with heat, so stir it in at the end to keep that vibrant punch.
Scrape Up Those Brown Bits: Don’t mess with them! They’re flavor-packed and give your sauce that irresistible depth.

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top this dish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan, a few fresh basil leaves if I have them, and maybe a little cracked black pepper. Sometimes, I add a drizzle of good quality olive oil at the end—it adds a nice sheen and enhances the pesto’s flavor.

Side Dishes

Since the pasta is rich and filling, I keep sides simple but fresh—things like a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette, roasted asparagus, or steamed broccoli work beautifully. Garlic bread is a classic pairing too if you want to keep things indulgent.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving this pasta family-style right in the skillet on the table—it looks rustic and inviting. Adding edible flowers or microgreens as garnish can also impress guests without much extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cool leftovers quickly and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The sauce thickens as it cools, so before reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it back up for that fresh, creamy texture.

Freezing

Freezing this pasta is doable but not my top pick since the cream sauce can sometimes separate. If you do freeze it, thaw fully in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stove with some added broth to bring it back together.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, with a splash of broth or cream to prevent the sauce from drying or breaking. Microwave works in a pinch but be sure to stir every 30 seconds for even heating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought pesto in this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! Store-bought pesto works great and saves time. Just add it towards the end of cooking to keep its fresh flavor bright and avoid bitterness.

Can I substitute chicken breasts with thighs?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor. Adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they’re cooked through and nicely browned.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

It’s a bit tricky since the creamy texture relies heavily on dairy products (cream and cheese). However, you can try substituting with coconut cream and a dairy-free cheese alternative, but the flavor and texture will change.

How do I prevent the pesto from turning brown or bitter?

The key is to add pesto at the very end of cooking, off the heat if possible. Pesto loses its bright flavor and can turn bitter when overheated, so stirring it in last keeps that fresh, vibrant taste.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is one of those comforting dishes I keep coming back to because it’s fuss-free, delicious, and perfect for sharing. If you want a meal that feels special yet cooks fast, you’ll enjoy making this just as much as eating it. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite weeknight dinner!