Pesto Chicken Penne Recipe

Name: Pesto Chicken Penne
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces penne pasta (we used whole grain); 2 (8 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced; 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon seasoning salt; 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1 cup fat free Greek yogurt (or fat free sour cream); 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese; 14-½ cup prepared pesto sauce; ⅓ cup fat-free half-and-half; ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese (you can sub sprinkle Parmesan but it's not as good)

Servings: persons

8 ounces penne pasta (we used whole grain)
2 (8 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon seasoning salt
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup fat free Greek yogurt (or fat free sour cream)
1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
14-½ cup prepared pesto sauce
⅓ cup fat-free half-and-half
¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese (you can sub sprinkle Parmesan but it's not as good)

1
Cook penne according to package instructions.
2
While penne is cooking, heat a large skillet over Medium-High heat.
3
Add chicken, onion flakes, garlic powder and seasoned salt and cook until chicken juices run clear or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.
4
Drain pasta and add chicken to the pasta pot.
5
Gently toss to combine.
6
In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, pesto, half and half and shredded Parmesan.
7
Mix well.
8
Pour pesto mixture into the pot with chicken and pasta.
9
Stir gently until well coated.
10
Pour mixture into a 7x11 glass baking dish.
11
Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup cheese over the penne mixture.
12
Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until it is hot and bubbly.
13
Turn oven to broil and cook for 5 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.
14
Watch it carefully because it can burn easily!

663

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 8 ounces penne pasta (we used whole grain), 2 (8 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced, 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and more.

Yes, Pesto Chicken Penne falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Pesto Chicken Penne

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions