# @createaplatewithdina on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DQm6U97E2dU
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/51828065-createaplatewithdina-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/9da1fce558.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-03T20:38:28.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Dina Borshch | Easy Recipes & Weeknight Meals (@createaplatewithdina) — https://gondola.cc/createaplatewithdina

## Caption

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta | Day 18 of My Cozy Weeknight Meals Series ✨
Ingredients

Chicken
	•	1 ½ lbs chicken breast, sliced lengthwise into 4 thin cutlets
	•	1 tsp garlic powder
	•	1 tsp paprika
	•	1 tsp dried basil
	•	½ tsp salt
	•	½ tsp black pepper
	•	½ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
	•	2 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)

Sauce & Pasta
	•	1 shallot, diced
	•	1 tbsp butter
	•	1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
	•	5–6 garlic cloves, minced
	•	2 cups heavy whipping cream
	•	1 cup reserved pasta water
	•	10 oz short pasta (cavatappi or rotini), cooked 2 minutes under package time
	•	⅔ cup prepared basil pesto (store bought)
	•	½ cup freshly grated Parmesan (plus more for serving)
	•	1 tsp garlic salt (or to taste)
	•	15 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Directions
	1.	Boil Water: Bring a large pot of water to a boil; salt once boiling.
	2.	Season & Dredge: Season chicken with garlic powder, paprika, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Lightly dredge in flour; shake off excess.
	3.	Sear Chicken: Heat 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
	4.	Cook Pasta: Add pasta to boiling water and cook 2 minutes less than package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.
	5.	Build Aromatics: In the same skillet you cooked the chicken in, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add diced shallot; sauté 1–2 minutes. Stir in cherry tomatoes; cook ~3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic; cook 30 seconds.
	6.	Cream Base: Pour in heavy cream and 1 cup reserved pasta water. Simmer 4-5 minutes to slightly thicken.
	7.	Finish Sauce: Stir in pesto, ½ cup Parmesan, and garlic salt; cook about 1 minute until smooth.
	8.	Combine: Add the undercooked pasta; simmer 2–3 minutes until al dente and well coated. Nestle chicken on top to warm through.
	9.	Serve: Remove from heat; garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil. Enjoy!

#pestopasta #pesto #creamypasta #chickenpesto #pasta #easyrecipe #weeknightmeals #easydinner

## Stats

- **Views:** 8,761
- **Likes:** 432
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 11

## Tags

weeknightmeals, pestopasta, easyrecipe, creamypasta, pesto, chickenpesto, pasta, easydinner

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