When life is busy and everyone’s asking, “What’s for dinner?” this creamy pesto chicken bake swoops in to save the night. It’s an easy weeknight dinner loaded with juicy chicken, rigatoni, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a rich pesto Parmesan cream sauce—all baked under a layer of bubbly mozzarella. Everything comes together in one oven-safe pan, making it a true one pan dinner that keeps the sink (and your sanity) under control.

This recipe was made for busy parents who still want something homemade and cozy on the table without spending all night in the kitchen. While the pasta boils, you sear the chicken in flavorful sun-dried tomato oil, sauté the onion, garlic, and spices, then pour in the heavy cream and Parmesan to create the dreamiest sauce. Spinach wilts right into the pan, the chicken goes back in, the pesto and pasta get stirred through, and then it all gets topped with a generous blanket of mozzarella before heading into the oven.

From start to finish, this creamy pesto chicken bake clocks in around that sweet spot for a 30 minute dinner, depending on how fast you chop. It’s rich and cheesy without feeling fussy, and it’s easy to pair with a simple side salad or garlic bread if you want to stretch it a bit further for guests or big kids with big appetites.

If you’ve been looking for a new go-to easy weeknight dinner that feels special but is simple enough for a Tuesday, this creamy, baked pesto chicken pasta needs to be on your list. One pan, minimal cleanup, kid-approved, and full of flavor...exactly the kind of one pan dinner busy families come back to again and again.

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