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 dish that’s both comforting and packed with vibrant flavors, this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is where you want to be right now. It’s an effortless one-pan wonder that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a luscious creamy pesto sauce that I promise you’ll want on repeat.

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 recipe quickly became one of my go-to comfort meals, especially on busy weeknights when I want something hearty but don’t want to spend forever in the kitchen. The balance of creamy, cheesy sauce with fresh pesto is just magic in every bite.

One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
Creamy & Flavor-Packed: The combination of heavy cream, cheeses, and basil pesto creates a rich sauce that’s anything but boring.
Customizable: You can easily add veggies or spice it up depending on your mood — I’ll share my favorite tweaks ahead.
Family-Friendly: It’s a dish both kids and adults rave about, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

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 is chosen to build layers of flavor and a creamy texture without fuss. Using fresh pesto and quality cheeses makes a huge difference, and I always recommend freshly grated Parmesan over pre-grated for that authentic nutty richness.

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 the sauce beautifully with its ridged surface and hollow shape, perfect for this creamy dish.
Butter: Used to sear the chicken and start the sauce, adding richness and depth of flavor.
Olive Oil: Helps with browning the chicken nicely without burning the butter.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cubed to cook quickly and evenly, tender once seared.
Italian Seasoning & Onion Powder: Provide an herby and savory base that complements the pesto without overpowering it.
Coarse Sea Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and the final sauce just right.
Garlic: The foundation of the sauce’s aromatics, sautéed quickly to avoid bitterness.
Chicken Broth: Adds a subtle savory stock flavor and helps loosen the sauce before cream’s added.
Heavy Cream: The star for that velvety, luscious sauce everyone loves.
Parmesan & Mozzarella Cheese: Parmesan adds sharp umami, and mozzarella melts beautifully to make the sauce smooth and cheesy.
Basil Pesto: Adds bright, fresh herbaceous notes and a punch of flavor at the finish.

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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 of the things I love most about this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I’ve tried a few spins on it — adding mix-ins or changing up the cheese — and you can really tailor it to whatever you have on hand or are craving.

Veggie Boost: I often toss in fresh baby spinach or sliced mushrooms while the sauce simmers for a pop of color and extra nutrients.
Spicy Kick: When I want to spice things up, a few flakes of crushed red pepper brightens the creamy sauce without overwhelming it.
Richer Sauce: Stirring in a tablespoon or two of cream cheese takes the creaminess to another level—it’s like a little indulgence.
Protein Swap: I’ve also tried shrimp instead of chicken; it cooks faster and pairs beautifully with the pesto cream sauce.

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

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Just Right

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente — you want it with a bit of bite since it will soak up that creamy sauce later. Drain it and set it aside, but don’t rinse; the starch clinging to the noodles actually helps the sauce stick.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken Pieces

While the pasta’s cooking, toss the chicken cubes with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat a stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with the olive oil, then add the chicken. Let it sear without crowding the pan — this helps get that golden crust I love. Once cooked through and nicely browned, remove the chicken and keep it warm on a plate.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to medium and melt the last tablespoon of butter in the same skillet. Toss in minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds — be careful not to burn it, or it’ll turn bitter. Now pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan to pick up those tasty browned bits from the chicken. Let the sauce bubble gently before adding your cheeses in small batches, stirring continuously so everything melts smoothly together.

Step 4: Finish with Pesto and Combine

Once your sauce is thickened and creamy (usually about 8 minutes of gentle simmering), stir in the cooked pasta, chicken with its juices, and finally the basil pesto. Adding the pesto at the end preserves its vibrant flavor and bright green color — trust me, don’t heat it for too long! Give everything a good toss so every bite is coated in that luscious sauce.

Step 5: Serve It Up and Enjoy!

Dish this beauty straight onto plates while it’s hot and prepare for some serious compliments. It’s creamy, herby, cheesy, and just downright delicious.

Top Tip

Making creamy pasta sauces can sometimes be tricky, but after countless tries, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help this skillet recipe shine.

Don't Overcook Chicken: Make sure to sear the chicken just until golden and cooked through — overcooking dries it out and makes the dish less juicy.
Cheese In Small Batches: Add Parmesan and mozzarella bit by bit, stirring slowly, to prevent the sauce from breaking or becoming grainy.
Add Pesto Last: Since pesto flavor fades and turns bitter if heated too long, stir it in right at the end of cooking or when reheating leftovers.
Simmer Gently: Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, to help it thicken evenly without splitting.

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil and an extra grating of Parmesan. Sometimes a few toasted pine nuts on top add such a nice crunch and bring out the pesto’s nuttiness. A light drizzle of good olive oil right before serving also adds a subtle richness.

Side Dishes

I usually keep sides simple — a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs beautifully to cut through the creaminess. Sometimes I serve with warm crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up every last bit of the sauce. Roasted or steamed veggies like asparagus or green beans also work well if you want something warm on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve plated the pasta in individual shallow bowls with delicate basil leaves arranged on top. You can swirl the sauce on the plate beforehand to create a visually inviting base. Adding edible flowers or microgreens enhances that fresh garden vibe and elevates the presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens when chilled, so I recommend adding a splash of chicken broth or cream when reheating to loosen it up again — it keeps it from drying out and helps refresh the texture.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen the fully sauced version, I’ve frozen cooked chicken and pasta separately to mix and heat with freshly made sauce later. If you plan to freeze this dish, keep pesto separately and stir it in after thawing and reheating to avoid bitterness.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in a splash of broth or cream to bring back that silky sauce texture. Add fresh pesto at the end to brighten up the flavors as if freshly made.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other pasta shapes for this recipe?

Absolutely! Penne works great because it holds the sauce well, but rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle would also be delicious options for this creamy pesto chicken pasta in a skillet recipe.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can definitely adapt it. Try using a dairy-free cream alternative like coconut cream, vegan cheese, and make sure your pesto is dairy-free (sometimes store-bought versions contain cheese). It won’t be quite the same but still tasty!

How long does this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe take to make?

From start to finish, it usually takes about 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for weeknight dinners when time is tight but you want something delicious and homemade.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prep parts ahead — like cooking the pasta or dicing and seasoning the chicken in advance, then quickly putting everything together when ready to eat. However, I recommend adding pesto just before serving for the best flavor.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe has become a staple in my household because it checks all the boxes: quick, easy, and unbelievably tasty. I hope when you try it, you find it as comforting and satisfying as I do—perfect for an effortless dinner that feels just a little special. Give it a go, and I’m sure it’ll become one of your favorite weeknight dishes, too!