← Back to browse

Focused recipe

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Tender chicken and rigatoni pasta tossed in a creamy basil pesto sauce with broccoli, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Topped with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses

Difficulty Hard
Time 25 min
Servings 6
Ingredients 19
Steps 10
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
American Italian Updated 8/21/2025

Ingredients

Measured from the catalog payload.

  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 400 ml carnation everyday creamer
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 1.5 cups broccoli floret
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 0.5 cup sun dried tomato sliced into strips
  • 0.5 cup basil pesto
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup ricotta cheese
  • 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1.5 quarts water
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions

10 cooking steps

  1. Bring water to a boil. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 1 ½ minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  2. Add pasta to the same boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain and set aside.
  3. Season chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter and add remaining olive oil. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the sun-dried tomato, sauté for 30 seconds.
  5. Pour chicken broth and whisk in pesto until well combined.
  6. Stir in Carnation Everyday Creamer and add ricotta and parmesan cheeses, and stir until melted and smooth.
  7. Return the broccoli and add spinach.
  8. Add the chicken and pasta. Toss until coated evenly with the sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
  9. Add mozzarella cheese and more parmesan as needed. Toss.
  10. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot. Share and enjoy!

Catalog details

Useful for browsing and sync.

Main Course, Chicken chicken pasta, comfort food, creamy pesto, one skillet meal Public recipe Revision 1

Recipe notes

  • Make-ahead tip: The chicken can be seasoned and marinated up to 4 hours in advance for deeper flavor.
  • Pasta water: Always reserve some starchy pasta water – it’s the secret to a silky smooth sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
  • Cheese substitutions: Feel free to substitute the ricotta with cream cheese or mascarpone for a different flavor profile.
  • Vegetable variations: Asparagus, bell peppers, or mushrooms work wonderfully in place of or in addition to the broccoli and spinach.
  • Storage: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to restore creaminess.