Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta
Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta combines tender strips of chicken and al dente penne in a lush basil-parmesan sauce enriched with white wine and cream. Sweet onions, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts add layers of crunch and brightness, making it a comforting weeknight dinner that also feels special enough for guests.
- Prep40 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 53 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 8 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 58 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 21
- Heart Health
- 71
- Metabolic
- 33
- Digestive
- 22
- Inflammatory
- 44
- Performance
- 36
- General Wellness
- 1
Place the basil, garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts, and tomato in a food processor. While pulsing, slowly add olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- 2
In a bowl, mix together the chicken broth, 1 cup white wine, dried basil, oregano, and minced garlic. Stir in the chicken pieces.
- 3
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook until slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.
- 4
Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sprinkle with sugar. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the chicken and marinade. Add 1/2 cup white wine. Simmer the chicken pieces, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes.
- 5
Add the pasta and pesto to the skillet. Stir in the cream, and cook until the sauce thickens. Adjust salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan.
- Calories 824.17 kcal High 41%
- Protein 51.99 g Good Source 104%
- Carbohydrate 39.68 g 14%
- Total Fat 48.7 g High 62%
- Saturated Fat 13.91 g High 70%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 207.41 mg High 69%
- Sodium 919.08 mg High 40%
- Dietary Fiber 4.34 g Moderate 16%
- Total Sugars 4.69 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 184.53 mg Moderate 14%
- Iron 5.03 mg Good Source 28%
- Potassium 1100.62 mg Good Source 23%
- Vitamin A 56.53 mcg Low Source 6%
- Vitamin C 14.01 mg Moderate 16%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Tree Nuts 🌰
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Sulfites
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
- Alcohol 🚫🍷
About This Recipe
Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta is made with 20 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 55 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Chicken Broth, Diced Onion, and Dried Basil. Each serving provides about 824.17 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Chicken Broth, Diced Onion, Dried Basil, Dried Oregano. The full list of 20 is above.
- How long does it take to make Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta?
- About 55 mins in total: 40 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 824.17 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 20 ingredients and 5 steps.
- Is Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta healthy?
- Creamy Pesto Chicken with Penne Pasta has an easyChef Pro health score of 41/100. Per serving, it provides 824.17 calories and 51.99 g of protein, or 104% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of iron and potassium. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 919.08 mg (40% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 13.91 g (70% of the Daily Value). It contains Tree Nuts, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Sulfites, Tomatoes, Garlic, Onions and Alcohol, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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