Description
This Pesto Chicken Pasta is fresh, creamy, and bursting with flavor — tender chicken tossed with basil pesto, pasta, and melty Parmesan. Ready in minutes and perfect for five delicious weeknight variations!
Ingredients
12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or spaghetti)
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional for creamy version)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Reduce heat to low and stir in pesto, cream (if using), and Parmesan cheese.
5. Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly.
6. Add a splash of pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Stir in cherry tomatoes if desired and heat through for 1–2 minutes.
8. Serve hot, topped with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
Notes
🍃 5 Quick and Delicious Pesto Chicken Pasta Dinners:
1. **Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta** – Stir in heavy cream for a rich, velvety sauce.
2. **Pesto Chicken Alfredo** – Combine Alfredo sauce with pesto for an indulgent twist.
3. **Pesto Chicken and Veggie Pasta** – Add sautéed zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers.
4. **Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake** – Top with mozzarella and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until bubbly.
5. **Cold Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad** – Toss with cooked pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls for a refreshing version.
Perfect for busy weeknights — flavorful, quick, and family-approved!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg