Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe: Two Delicious Ways to Make Weeknight Dinner Amazing

If there's one dish that never fails to bring everyone to the table with a smile, it's a creamy chicken pasta. Comforting, rich, and surprisingly quick to prepare, this Brazilian-inspired classic combines tender chicken with silky sauces and perfectly cooked pasta. Whether you're feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or impressing guests at a casual dinner party, these two variations—one with a luscious cream sauce and one with vibrant pesto—deliver restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Grab your apron, and let's turn simple ingredients into a meal worth remembering.

Classic Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta

Creamy chicken penne pasta with a rich white sauce served on a plate

This first version is the ultimate comfort food: golden-seared chicken nestled in a velvety cream sauce, tossed with penne pasta that catches every drop of goodness. The sauce comes together in minutes, and the whole dish is on the table in under 40 minutes. It's the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but is simple enough to become a regular in your rotation.

12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens, about 3–5 minutes.
Return the chicken to the skillet, add the cooked penne, and toss everything together until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of reserved pasta water.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Quick and Delicious Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy chicken pesto pasta with fresh basil and grated cheese on top

For a fresh, herbaceous twist, this pesto version swaps the classic cream sauce for a vibrant basil pesto blended with just enough cream to make it silky. It's bright, aromatic, and ready in about 30 minutes—perfect for those nights when you want big flavor without a big effort.

12 oz (340 g) pasta of your choice (penne, fusilli, or linguine work well)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup basil pesto
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper and cook until golden and fully cooked, about 7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Reduce the heat to low.
Stir in the pesto and heavy cream, whisking until the sauce is smooth and heated through, about 3 minutes.
Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into the sauce.
Return the chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to reach a creamy consistency.
Adjust seasoning, top with extra Parmesan and fresh basil leaves, and serve hot.

Both versions prove that a spectacular chicken pasta doesn't need complicated techniques or a long list of ingredients. Pick the creamy classic when you crave pure comfort, or go for the pesto variation when you want something fresh and fragrant. Either way, you'll have a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that might just become your new favorite.