Creamy Chicken Pesto Penne Dinner

How to make Creamy Chicken Pesto Penne Dinner Recipe -  I like to call this recipe "dinner in a flash." It is packed with great pesto flavor and requires minimal work in the kitchen. Shredded rotisserie chicken works great in this dish, as does a large can of chunk chicken you can find at your grocery store by the cans of tuna fish to save time from baking your own chicken. Have the kids toss in some green peas or steamed broccoli for extra vegetables, color, and texture. Enjoy with a simple salad and Cheesy Garlic Toast.

Ingredients:
1 pound penne
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup milk, divided
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
3⁄4 cup prepared pesto
1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1⁄2 cup pine nuts (optional)

Method:
1. Cook the penne according to the package directions. Drain and run under cool water to stop the cooking.

2. Add the cream cheese and 3⁄4 cup of the milk to a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth and melted. Add the chicken, pesto, salt, pepper, and cooked pasta and stir to combine, then reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining 1⁄4 cup milk to loosen the sauce right before serving. Garnish each plate of pasta with pine nuts, if desired.