If you’re craving a comforting, flavorful dinner that comes together in just one pan, you’ll love this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe. It’s rich, cheesy, and packed with basil pesto goodness, making weeknight meals feel a little more special. Let me walk you through how to make 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 cooks entirely in a skillet — which means fewer dishes and faster cleanup. It’s the kind of dish I turn to when I want something elegant but easy, with that cozy, homemade vibe.

One-skillet convenience: You’ll sauté, simmer, and toss everything in one pan, saving time and energy.
Rich, luscious sauce: The blend of heavy cream, Parmesan, and mozzarella creates a silky texture that clings to every bite.
Bright basil pesto flavor: Added at the end to preserve its fresh, herbal punch — it tastes just like summer on a fork.
Customizable and comforting: You can easily add veggies, spice it up, or make it richer with simple tweaks.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because of the balance between simple ingredients and big flavors. The chicken absorbs the seasoning and sauce, while the creamy cheeses deepen the flavor, and the pesto brings that iconic herbaceous kick. Here’s what I use and why it works so well.

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 its shape and absorbs the sauce perfectly without getting mushy.
Butter: Adds richness and helps build flavor during searing and sauce making.
Olive oil: Keeps chicken from sticking and adds a subtle fruity note.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Lean and easy to cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that infuses the chicken with classic Italian flavors.
Onion powder, salt, pepper: Enhance seasoning uniformly and keep the flavors balanced.
Garlic: Sautéed to fragrant perfection, it’s the base for our sauce flavor.
Chicken broth: Adds depth and helps thin out the cream for a luscious, pourable sauce.
Heavy cream: The main ingredient for richness and silky texture in the sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Brings nutty sharpness and helps thicken the sauce.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for that stretchy, gooey cheese factor.
Basil pesto: Loaded with fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan — added last to keep it tasting vibrant.

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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

What I love about this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often switch up the veggies depending on what’s in season or what’s in my fridge, and you can absolutely dial the richness or spice level to match your mood.

Variation: I like adding baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes right at the end—just toss them in with the pesto so the greens wilt slightly but stay vibrant.
Go lighter: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half if you want a lighter sauce, just expect a slightly thinner texture.
Add heat: Crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper give the sauce a nice kick without overpowering the pesto.
Make it richer: Stir in a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese right before adding the pasta for extra creamy indulgence.

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

Step 1: Cook pasta al dente

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and cooking the penne pasta just until al dente. This step is important so your pasta holds up later when tossed in the creamy sauce. Drain and set aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.

Step 2: Season and sear the chicken

Cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, then toss them with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil in a stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken until golden and cooked through — about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate, keeping those flavorful browned bits in the pan!

Step 3: Build the creamy sauce

Reduce heat to medium, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the skillet, and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up those browned bits to mix their flavor into the sauce. Bring it to a gentle boil, then lower to medium-low.

Step 4: Melt in the cheeses

Add freshly grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella gradually, stirring continuously until they melt smoothly into the sauce. This creates that velvety texture we’re aiming for. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then let the sauce simmer and thicken for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Combine pasta, chicken, and pesto

Now, stir the cooked penne and chicken (with any juices from the plate) back into the skillet. Finally, fold in the basil pesto gently, making sure to coat everything evenly. I like to add the pesto last so its bright flavors don’t get lost or turn bitter during cooking.

Step 6: Serve hot and enjoy!

Scoop the creamy pesto chicken pasta onto plates and dig in while it’s hot. This dish is pure comfort, with just the right balance of creamy, cheesy, and herbaceous flavors that keep me coming back for more.

Top Tip

From my many tries making this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe, a couple of little tricks make all the difference between good and great. The kind of tips that save you from blandness or watery sauce!

Don’t overcook pasta: Al dente pasta holds the sauce better and prevents mushy texture after reheating.
Add pesto at the end: Because pesto loses its freshness and can turn bitter if heated too long, I always stir it in last.
Scrape the pan: Don’t forget to scrape up those browned chicken bits stuck to the skillet when adding broth — that’s flavor gold.
Simmer patiently: Let the sauce thicken slowly on medium-low; rushing this step can cause curdling or separation.

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

I like topping my serving with freshly grated Parmesan and a few torn basil leaves for extra color and freshness. A sprinkle of crushed red pepper adds just a hint of spice without overwhelming the pesto’s delicate flavor.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, my go-to sides are lightly dressed arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or garlic roasted asparagus. They bring brightness and crunch that balance the creamy pasta wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I’ve served this pasta family-style in a warm, cast-iron skillet right at the table — it invites everyone to help themselves and keeps the pasta hot longer. Garnish with edible flowers or microgreens to impress your guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The pasta absorbs the sauce nicely overnight, but you might want to add a splash of chicken broth or cream when reheating to loosen things back up.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen this pasta often, it should freeze fine if cooled quickly and stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the pasta gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or cream to prevent drying out. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep the sauce silky and prevent cheese separation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different pasta shape for this recipe?

Absolutely! While penne works beautifully, feel free to swap in rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle — just pick one that holds sauce well so you don’t lose that creamy pesto coating.

Why do I add the pesto at the end instead of cooking it with the sauce?

Great question! Heating pesto too long can cause it to lose its bright green color and fresh basil flavor. It can also develop a bitter, sour taste. Adding it at the end preserves that vibrant aroma and delicious taste, making the dish feel truly fresh.

Can I substitute chicken breasts with thighs?

Definitely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully if you prefer darker meat—they're more forgiving and stay juicy. Just adjust cooking time so they’re cooked through but not dry.

What can I add to make the dish healthier?

Adding a handful of fresh baby spinach or chopped kale towards the end boosts the veggie content without messing with flavor. You could also swap heavy cream for half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce, but keep in mind the sauce will be less rich and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites exactly because it’s easy, flavorful, and impressive without requiring fancy ingredients or complicated steps. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself after a long day, this recipe hits all the right notes. Give it a try — I bet it’ll become a go-to in your kitchen, just like it did in mine!