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Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto

Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto blends tender bites of chicken with a lush, tangy sauce enriched by sun-dried tomato pesto and mellowed with cream. Roasted red peppers add sweetness while fresh basil brings a fragrant finish, making this a comforting bowl perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

  • Prep15 mins
  • Cook30 mins
  • Serves6
  • DifficultyMedium
Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto

easyChef Pro health score

Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.

38 Health Score
Glycemic ImpactFair
52 / 100
Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
Nutritional DensityPoor
0 / 100
Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
Energy DensityFair
56 / 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.

17
Heart Health
66
Metabolic
25
Digestive
20
Inflammatory
43
Performance
32
General Wellness
  1. 1

    Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breast and cook, stirring, until browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.

  2. 2

    Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant. Add roasted peppers, sun-dried tomato pesto, cream, basil, and cayenne pepper, then stir until combined. Simmer over low heat until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 20 to 30 minutes.

  3. 3

    While the sauce simmers, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in penne and return to a boil; cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still slightly firm, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain well.

  4. 4

    Spoon the sauce over the cooked penne.

About This Recipe

Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto is made with 9 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 45 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, Fresh Basil, and Heavy Cream. Each serving provides about 657.66 kcal, and is a good source of protein.

Recipe Questions

What is Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto made of?
The main ingredients are Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, Fresh Basil, Heavy Cream, Minced Garlic. The full list of 9 is above.
How long does it take to make Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto?
About 45 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 657.66 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto easy to make?
This recipe is rated medium, with 9 ingredients and 4 steps.
Is Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto healthy?
Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun‑Dried Tomato Pesto has an easyChef Pro health score of 38/100. Per serving, it provides 657.66 calories and 42.74 g of protein, or 85% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 488.66 mg (21% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 10.7 g (54% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes and Garlic, 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.

How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products

easyChef Pro analyzes up to 41 nutrients using data sourced from USDA and other verified food databases. Its scoring method uses the nutrients relevant to nutrition quality, calorie density, processing level, and your selected health goal. Recipes and food products get a health score from 0 to 100, calculated using consistent rules instead of being estimated by AI. The same nutrition data, serving size and health goal will produce the same result.

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.

Your health goal also matters. easyChef Pro evaluates recipes and products across six health areas and adjusts their importance for your selected goal. This means the same food may be a better fit for one health goal than another.

For recipes, changing an ingredient, quantity or serving size changes the nutrition and may change the score. Remix the recipe in easyChef Pro to calculate fresh nutrition and scores for the version you actually make. Product scores are based on the nutrition and serving information associated with that specific product.

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