Savory Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe: A Cozy Dinner Win

Weeknight dinners demand a quick, delectable chicken pesto pasta that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.

Simple ingredients blend into a mouthwatering meal bursting with rich, herbal flavors.

Fresh basil pesto coats tender chicken and perfectly al dente pasta, creating a harmonious balance of textures.

Parmesan cheese adds a salty depth that complements the bright, aromatic sauce.

Each forkful promises a delightful combination of creamy, savory goodness that transforms an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

This no-fuss recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking a delicious and impressive meal.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible pasta that will become a regular star at your dinner table.

Essential Tools for Chicken Pesto Pasta Night

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of space.
• Skillet (large): Key for cooking chicken and combining ingredients perfectly.
• Cutting board: Needed for dicing chicken and chopping herbs.
• Chef's knife: Helps dice chicken and chop fresh basil cleanly.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in skillet.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta after cooking.
• Measuring cup: Helps measure reserved pasta water accurately.

Cooking Instructions for Chicken Pesto Pasta

• Boil Water

Get a big pot and fill it with water. Add a sprinkle of salt and bring to a rolling boil. Drop in your pasta and cook until perfectly tender.

• Sizzle Chicken

Warm some olive oil in a large skillet. Toss in chicken pieces and cook until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Season with salt and pepper while cooking.

• Awaken Flavors

Quickly mix in minced garlic and a dash of red pepper flakes. Let the aromas dance around the pan for a quick moment.

• Create Magic

Lower the heat and bring your cooked pasta into the skillet. Swirl in the pesto sauce, letting it coat every single piece of pasta. Add a splash of pasta water to create a silky smooth sauce.

• Final Touches

Sprinkle in some Parmesan cheese and toss in fresh cherry tomatoes. Gently stir everything together so all the flavors mingle.

• Serve With Love

Top with fresh basil leaves, an extra sprinkle of Parmesan, and if you’re feeling fancy, some toasted pine nuts. Dig in while it’s hot and enjoy your delicious creation!

Add-Ons and Tips for Chicken Pesto Pasta

• Pasta Perfection Pointers: Pro Tips and Twists
• Pesto Power Boost: Swap store-bought pesto for homemade by blending fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan for an extra flavor punch.
• Protein Swap Magic: Replace chicken with grilled shrimp, tofu, or roasted chickpeas to create exciting protein variations that suit different dietary preferences.
• Veggie Volume Up: Toss in roasted zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors and textures to the dish.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles to make this recipe celiac and low-carb diet compatible without sacrificing taste.
• Creamy Dream Hack: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or Greek yogurt for a richer, more luxurious sauce that adds depth and smoothness to the pasta.

Serving Chicken Pesto Pasta at Its Best

• Fresh Family Feast: Creative ways to elevate your chicken pesto pasta experience.
• Salad Symphony: Pair with a crisp mixed greens salad topped with lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
• Wine Companions: Select a chilled pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to complement the herb-forward pesto and delicate chicken flavors.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Serve alongside warm garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices to soak up the delicious pesto sauce and add textural variety.

How to Store Chicken Pesto Pasta Like a Pro

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Tuck leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days for maximum flavor and safety.
• Freezing Friendly Technique: Portion out cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic Method: Splash reserved pasta water or extra olive oil when warming to restore moisture. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat.
• Ingredient Freshness Hack: Store fresh basil in a glass of water like flowers, covering leaves loosely with a plastic bag. Keep Parmesan cheese wrapped tightly in wax paper inside the refrigerator's cheese drawer. Cherry tomatoes stay crisp when stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 4

Must-Haves for Chicken Pesto Pasta

• Pasta: Serves as the hearty foundation for the dish, choose medium-sized pasta like penne or fusilli for better sauce clinging.

• Chicken, Salt, Pepper: Lean protein adds substance, select boneless chicken breasts for tender, quick-cooking meat.
• Garlic: Brings aromatic depth, opt for fresh cloves with firm, smooth skin for most intense flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat, adjust quantity based on spice tolerance.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth cooking base, select extra virgin for richer taste.
• Basil Pesto: Delivers vibrant herbal notes, choose fresh or homemade for brighter flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides sharp, salty complexity, grate fresh for best melting texture.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Introduces bright, juicy contrast, select ripe, firm tomatoes for best burst of freshness.
• Fresh Basil: Offers final herbal garnish, choose bright green leaves without wilting.
• Pine Nuts: Delivers nutty crunch, toast lightly to enhance natural richness.

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade chicken pesto pasta delivers Mediterranean charm with fresh basil and parmesan. Italian-inspired ingredients combine seamlessly for a quick, delectable dinner you can prepare in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
• ½ cup (120g) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
• ¼ cup (60ml) pasta water (reserved)
• ¼ cup (30g) toasted pine nuts (optional, for crunch)
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Boil Pasta: Generate a generously salted water bath, immerse pasta until achieving al dente perfection. Reserve a splash of starchy liquid before draining completely.
2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a expansive skillet over medium flame. Introduce seasoned chicken morsels, sautéing until golden-brown and thoroughly cooked through.
3. Enhance Aromatics: Integrate minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes into the chicken, allowing their fragrant essence to permeate the dish for a brief moment.
4. Combine Components: Lower skillet temperature, gently fold pasta into chicken ensemble. Lavishly drench with basil pesto, utilizing reserved pasta water to craft a luxurious, velvety sauce.
5. Final Embellishment: Cascade grated Parmesan and halved cherry tomatoes into the skillet, stirring to ensure harmonious flavor integration. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, an additional Parmesan dusting, and optional toasted pine nuts for textural contrast and visual allure.

Notes

• Reserve Pasta Water: Keep a cup of starchy pasta liquid before draining, which helps create a smoother, more cohesive sauce and enables better pesto coating.
• Control Chicken Browning: Ensure medium-high heat for golden-brown chicken edges without burning, preventing dry or tough meat texture.
• Balance Pesto Distribution: Fold pesto gradually and mix gently to prevent overwhelming the dish, allowing each pasta strand and chicken piece to be perfectly coated.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use plant-based pesto for vegetarian version, or replace chicken with tofu for protein variety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 70mg