Phenomenal Chicken and Pasta in Creamy Pesto Sauce

Ingredients and Weight:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: 8 (about 2 lbs)
• Salt and pepper: to taste
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Penne pasta: 1 pound
• Heavy cream: 1 cup
• Pesto sauce: 1/2 cup
• Parmesan cheese, grated: 1/2 cup
• Basil leaves, chopped: 1/4 cup
• Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped: 1/4 cup

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty Level: 2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and mostly cooked through.
4. Transfer chicken breasts to a baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. While the chicken is cooking, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
6. In a large saucepan, combine heavy cream, pesto sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring constantly.
7. Remove from heat and drain pasta. Add pasta to the sauce along with basil and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir to combine.
8. Slice chicken breasts and add to the pasta. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 550
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sodium: 500mg
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Protein: 35g

Dish Characteristics:

• Creamy, flavorful sauce with a hint of basil and pesto.
• Perfectly cooked chicken that is tender and juicy.
• Al dente pasta that is cooked to perfection.

User Comments:

• "This dish was absolutely phenomenal! The sauce was so creamy and flavorful, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I would definitely recommend this recipe."
• "I loved the combination of flavors in this dish. The pesto sauce was a great addition, and the sun-dried tomatoes gave it a nice tang. I will definitely be making this again."
• "This is my new favorite chicken and pasta dish! It was easy to make and so delicious. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves Italian food."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Make sure the chicken is cooked through before serving.
• If you don't have pesto sauce on hand, you can make your own with fresh basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic.
• For a spicier dish, use a spicy pesto sauce or add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.