Creamy Pesto Shrimp or Chicken
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Creamy Pesto Shrimp or Chicken—your new go-to dinner for a quick yet luxurious meal! This versatile recipe features tender shrimp or juicy chicken, perfectly seasoned and simmered in a velvety cream and pesto sauce. Enhanced with fresh garlic, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and optional bursts of color from cherry tomatoes and spinach, this dish strikes the perfect balance between richness and freshness. Serve it over pasta, rice, or low-carb zoodles for a satisfying dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, this one-pan recipe is easy to make and endlessly customizable, making it a favorite for the whole family.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Shrimp (peeled and deveined) or Chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved, optional)
- 2 cups Spinach (optional, fresh or baby spinach)
- 4 cups Cooked pasta, rice, or zoodles (for serving)
Instructions
Season the shrimp or chicken with salt and black pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp or chicken to the skillet and cook until fully cooked (about 3-4 minutes per side for shrimp, or 5-7 minutes per side for chicken). Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream. Stir and let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
Whisk in the pesto sauce until fully combined. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
If using, add the cherry tomatoes and spinach to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are softened and the spinach has wilted.
Return the cooked shrimp or chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat them evenly in the creamy pesto sauce.
Serve immediately over cooked pasta, rice, or zoodles. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
771 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.2 g | 57% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.0 g | 90% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 288 mg | 96% | |
| Sodium | 831 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 48.7 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.6 g | ||
| Protein | 43.7 g | 87% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.5 mcg | 22% | |
| Calcium | 316 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 3.6 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 747 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
