One Pan Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake That’s Family-Approved
This one pan creamy chicken pesto pasta bake is the perfect comfort food with juicy chicken, rich basil pesto, and melted cheese in every bite. Quick to prep and family-approved.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
1 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated parmesan
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional: spinach, cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than package directions; drain.
3. In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
4. Stir in pesto, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Add cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce. Stir until combined.
6. Top with mozzarella and parmesan.
7. Transfer skillet to oven and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat in oven at 350°F or microwave with a splash of cream to keep moist.
Add sautéed vegetables like spinach or tomatoes for extra nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg