Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

This is one of those pasta dinners that feels way fancier than the actual effort it takes.

Juicy seasoned chicken, creamy pesto sauce, garlic, melted mozzarella, and pasta all tossed together into one ridiculously comforting bowl of food.

Big flavor.
Creamy sauce.
Garlic everywhere.
Exactly the kind of dinner that disappears FAST in this house.

For this version, I used gluten-free pasta because my wife is gluten free and I wanted her to fully enjoy this dinner with the family. We’ve tried a lot of gluten-free pastas over the years, and this is one of her favorites.

But honestly?
Use whatever pasta you love most.

This sauce works with pretty much everything.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich creamy pesto flavor
• Easy weeknight dinner
• Family approved
• Gluten-free friendly
• Cozy comfort food
• Restaurant-style flavor at home
• Great leftovers

The pesto mixed into the cream sauce gives this pasta such a rich savory flavor without needing a ton of complicated ingredients.

And once the mozzarella melts into everything… it’s over.

The Secret to Making It So Good

The biggest thing is getting a good sear on the chicken first.

That golden crust adds a TON of flavor to the final pasta.

Then all those browned bits in the pan mix into the creamy pesto sauce while the onions and garlic cook down.

That’s where all the flavor starts building.

The lime juice also helps cut through the richness and brightens everything up in the best way.

What to Serve With It

We usually serve this with:

• garlic bread
• Caesar salad
• roasted broccoli
• extra Parmesan
• chili flakes
• or honestly just giant bowls of it straight from the pan 😂

Fresh basil on top is ridiculously good too.

Dad’s Notes

Don’t overcook the pasta.

Especially with gluten-free pasta, keeping it al dente makes a HUGE difference once it finishes cooking in the sauce.

And don’t skip letting the chicken rest before slicing.
That keeps it juicy.

This is one of those meals that feels cozy, filling, and comforting without being complicated.

Exactly the kind of dinner we keep on repeat over here 😂

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Creamy pesto chicken pasta made with juicy seasoned chicken breasts, rich pesto cream sauce, melted mozzarella, and gluten-free pasta. Cozy comfort food packed with flavor and perfect for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon chicken bouillon
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 5 garlic cloves minced
• Juice of 1 lime

Pasta & Sauce

• 9 oz gluten-free tagliatelle or pasta of choice
• 1 onion diced
• 5 garlic cloves minced
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 4 tablespoon pesto
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese

Optional Garnish

• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil
• Chili flakes

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Large pot
• Tongs
• Knife and cutting board

Method

 

Season the chicken

1. In a bowl, season the chicken breasts with olive oil, butter, chicken bouillon, garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, and lime juice.
2. Let marinate for 10–30 minutes.

Cook the chicken

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook the chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the pan and let rest.

Cook the aromatics

1. In the same pan, add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
2. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Build the sauce

1. Add a pinch of paprika and remaining seasonings to the pan. Stir briefly, then pour in the heavy cream.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer.
3. Add pesto and cheese
4. Stir in the pesto and mozzarella cheese until smooth and creamy.

Cook the pasta

1. Meanwhile, cook the gluten-free pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add directly into the sauce.
2. Toss until fully coated and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened.

Finish and serve

1. Slice the rested chicken and place on top of the pasta.
2. Top with Parmesan, fresh basil, or extra chili flakes if desired.

Notes

Freshly grated Parmesan works great for topping.
Reserve a little pasta water if you want to loosen the sauce.
You can substitute regular pasta if not gluten-free.
Fresh lime juice brightens up the creamy sauce and chicken.
Add extra chili flakes for more heat.