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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe Easy One-Pan Dinner with Arugula

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A quick and easy one-pan creamy chicken pesto pasta with fresh arugula, perfect for busy weeknights. This comforting dish combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a flavorful pesto sauce with a peppery bite of arugula.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces penne or fusilli pasta
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • ½ cup basil pesto
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh arugula
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, a pinch)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, mince garlic, and measure out pesto, broth, and milk.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  4. Add dry pasta, chicken broth, and milk to the pan. Stir gently to combine and bring to a simmer.
  5. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  6. Stir in pesto and cooked chicken pieces. Cook for another 2 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, and fold in fresh arugula until it wilts slightly from residual heat.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of extra broth or milk to loosen it. Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking chicken to ensure it browns nicely. Remove pan from heat before stirring in pesto and Parmesan to preserve fresh flavors. For dairy-free, substitute milk with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta can be used but cooking time may vary.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pesto pasta, one-pan dinner, easy pasta recipe, arugula pasta, weeknight dinner, quick dinner, chicken pasta, pesto pasta

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta-recipe-easy-one-pan-dinner-with-arugula/