Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Name: Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Kosher salt; Black pepper; 8 ounces penne pasta, preferably with ridges; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving if you like; 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained if packed in oil; 1/2 cup basil pesto, homemade or quality store-bought, plus more if you like; 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; Handful of torn basil leaves, for garnish

A date night-worthy dinner recipe that's ready in 20 minutes or less. This luxurious pasta features creamy basil pesto sauce with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes.

Glycemic Load: 12.5 (Medium)

320 calories per serving

Serves: 6

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

About This Calculation

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta has a medium glycemic load of 12.5 per serving — moderate blood sugar impact — portion size and meal composition matter.

The primary glycemic load contributors are penne pasta (GL 12.0), sun dried tomatoes (GL 0.3), heavy cream (GL 0.1). These ingredients account for the majority of the carbohydrate impact per serving.

Glycemic load is calculated as GL = (GI × Net Carbs per serving) ÷ 100, where GI is the glycemic index and net carbs exclude dietary fiber. Calculations draw on established nutritional references including USDA FoodData Central values and peer-reviewed glycemic index research.