This creamy pesto chicken pasta recipe is a true weeknight hero, bringing together tender chicken, vibrant tomatoes, and a rich, flavorful pesto sauce in one satisfying dish. It’s the kind of meal that feels special enough for guests but comes together so quickly, it’s perfect for busy evenings with the family.
If you’re looking for an easy Italian pasta recipe with chicken that delivers on taste without a lot of fuss, you’ve found it. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, ensuring even beginner cooks can achieve delicious results every time.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This creamy pesto chicken pasta recipe is a true weeknight hero, bringing together tender chicken, vibrant tomatoes, and a rich, flavorful pesto sauce in one satisfying dish. It’s the kind of meal that feels special enough for guests but comes together so quickly, it’s perfect for busy evenings with the family. If you’re looking for an easy Italian pasta recipe with chicken that delivers on taste without a lot of fuss, you’ve found it. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, ensuring even beginner cooks can achieve delicious results every time.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season them generously on both sides with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C)). Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for a few minutes, then dice or shred it into bite-sized pieces.
3. Boil the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
4. Saute the Tomatoes: In the same skillet (no need to clean it), add the halved cherry tomatoes. Saute for 3-5 minutes over medium heat, until they start to soften and burst slightly. This releases their sweet juices and enhances their flavor.
5. Build the Creamy Pesto Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the basil pesto and heavy cream with the tomatoes. Mix well until the sauce is smooth and gently simmering. If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
6. Combine All Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta and the diced or shredded chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce.
7. Serve Immediately: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, and serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, pesto, pasta, creamy, weeknight, easy, italian, dinner, quick, tomato
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This creamy pesto chicken pasta is a fantastic choice for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly fast, making it ideal for those evenings when time is short but you still want a homemade meal. It’s also a fantastic way to use up leftover cooked chicken, though cooking fresh chicken breasts is also very simple. The combination of savory chicken, bright cherry tomatoes, and the aromatic pesto creates a balanced and incredibly appealing flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates, from picky eaters to gourmet enthusiasts. It’s a comforting dish that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a go-to for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or even a quick and satisfying lunch.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is the best way to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience in the kitchen. This recipe uses readily available items that you might already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
When it comes to the chicken, boneless, skinless thighs can also be used if you prefer dark meat; just be sure to cook them through. For the pasta, any short, sturdy shape will work beautifully, as it helps to hold onto the creamy sauce. Penne, rotini, or even fusilli are excellent choices. If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes are a perfect substitute. While homemade pesto is wonderful, a good quality store-bought basil pesto makes this recipe incredibly fast and convenient. Look for one in the refrigerated section of your grocery store for the freshest flavor. For a slightly lighter sauce, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, though the texture will be a bit less rich.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20-25 minutes
- Total time: 30-35 minutes
These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on how quickly you chop and whether you’re using pre-cooked chicken. If you’re starting with raw chicken, the cooking time will be closer to the higher end of the estimate.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this creamy pesto chicken pasta is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a delicious meal every time.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season them generously on both sides with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for a few minutes, then dice or shred it into bite-sized pieces.
- Boil the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté the Tomatoes: In the same skillet (no need to clean it), add the halved cherry tomatoes. Sauté for 3-5 minutes over medium heat, until they start to soften and burst slightly. This releases their sweet juices and enhances their flavor.
- Build the Creamy Pesto Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the basil pesto and heavy cream with the tomatoes. Mix well until the sauce is smooth and gently simmering. If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Combine All Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta and the diced or shredded chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, and serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This creamy pesto chicken pasta is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions.
For a kid-friendly twist, you can use smaller pasta shapes like mini penne or elbow macaroni. If your children are not keen on tomatoes, you can reduce the amount or omit them entirely. Adding a handful of frozen peas or chopped spinach to the pasta water during the last few minutes of cooking is an easy way to sneak in extra vegetables. For a touch of extra flavor, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished dish can brighten all the flavors.
To make this dish stretch further for a party or buffet, consider serving it alongside a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing and some crusty garlic bread. It’s a complete meal on its own, but these additions make it feel more substantial. You could also add other vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even roasted asparagus to the mix. For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce can add a subtle kick. A sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts over the top before serving adds a lovely texture and nutty flavor.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.
One common mistake is overcooking the chicken. This can lead to dry, tough chicken that detracts from the dish. To avoid this, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and remove it from the heat immediately. Letting it rest before dicing also helps keep it juicy.
Another slip-up is overcooking the pasta. Mushy pasta is never pleasant. Always cook your pasta to al dente, which means it should be firm to the bite. Pay close attention to the package directions and start checking for doneness a minute or two before the suggested cooking time.
Not seasoning the chicken or pasta water adequately can result in a bland dish. Remember to season the chicken generously with salt and pepper, and always salt your pasta water – it’s your only chance to season the pasta itself.
Finally, adding the heavy cream to a very high heat can sometimes cause it to curdle. Always reduce the heat to low before stirring in the cream and pesto, allowing the sauce to gently warm through rather than boil vigorously. If your sauce seems too thick, resist the urge to add plain water, which can dilute the flavor. Instead, use the reserved starchy pasta water, which will help emulsify the sauce and maintain its richness.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This creamy pesto chicken pasta is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are still delicious and can be stored properly.
To store any leftover pasta, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, the pasta may dry out slightly or the sauce might separate a little. To restore its creamy texture, reheat individual portions in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. If reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of milk, chicken broth, or even a little water to help loosen the sauce and bring back its creaminess. Stir gently until heated through. Avoid overheating, as this can cause the chicken to become tough and the sauce to break.
Making this dish ahead of time is possible, but with a few considerations. You can cook the chicken and prepare the pesto sauce (without adding the pasta) up to 1-2 days in advance. Store the cooked chicken and the sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, cook the pasta fresh, then gently reheat the sauce and chicken together before tossing with the freshly cooked pasta. This method helps maintain the best texture for the pasta and prevents it from becoming too soft or absorbing all the sauce.
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
