Chicken Pesto Pasta – Plain Chicken

Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe – Tender chicken bites and al dente pasta smothered in a creamy basil pesto sauce—this dish is pure comfort in a bowl. Chicken, garlic, heavy cream, pesto, olive oil, and pasta. This a quick and flavorful dinner that’s sure to please the whole family.

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Easy Skillet Chicken Pasta Recipe

This Chicken Pesto Pasta has been on repeat at our house. Tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken sautéed to perfection and then simmered in a creamy sauce infused with the vibrant flavors of garlic, parmesan cheese, and pesto sauce. The beauty of this dish lies not only in its taste but also in its simplicity, making it a weeknight favorite and a go-to comfort food. One bite, and this is sure to become a family favorite.

How to Make Chicken Pesto Pasta

This creamy pasta is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta noodles to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions for al dente pasta. Drain and set aside.

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with garlic and herb seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned. Add garlic to the pan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in heavy cream and basil pesto sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer gently for 3-4 minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• You can use any shape of pasta that you prefer.
  • Penne pasta, elbow macaroni, bowtie pasta, or fusilli pasta all work great.
• My favorite store-bought pesto is Rao’s.
• Add your favorite veggies to the pasta:
  • spinach
  • sundried tomatoes
  • cherry tomatoes
  • mushrooms
  • asparagus
• Can substitute rotisserie chicken for boneless skinless chicken breast.
  • Chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins also work well in this recipe.
• Add a dash of red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
• Can I freeze leftover pasta? I do not recommend freezing this dish. 
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • I recommend reheating it on the stove at low heat and adding a couple of splashes of heavy cream to keep it creamy.

What to Serve with Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe

This easy pasta dish has been on repeat at our house! It is super simple to make, and the whole family gobbles it up! When it comes to serving pasta, I’ve got plenty of delicious options to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

No matter what you serve alongside this pasta, it is sure to earn a spot in your dinner rotation! Looking for more side dish ideas? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

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Chicken Pesto Pasta

Yield: 4 people

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe – Tender chicken bites and al dente pasta smothered in a creamy basil pesto sauce—this dish is pure comfort in a bowl. Chicken, garlic, heavy cream, pesto, olive oil, and pasta. This a quick and flavorful dinner that’s sure to please the whole family.

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain and set aside.

• Season chicken pieces with garlic and herb seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally.

• Add garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream and pesto sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer gently for about 5 minutes or until mixture thickens.

• Remove the pan from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese. Add pasta to sauce and toss.

• You can use any shape of pasta that you prefer.
  • Penne pasta, elbow macaroni, bowtie pasta, or fusilli pasta all work great.
• My favorite store-bought pesto is Rao’s.
• Add your favorite veggies tothe pasta:
  • spinach
  • sundried tomatoes
  • cherry tomatoes
  • mushrooms
  • asparagus
• Can substitute rotisserie chicken for boneless skinless chicken breast.
  • Chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins also work well in this recipe.
• Add a dash of red pepper flakes to a kick of heat.
• Can I freeze leftover pasta? I do not recommend freezing this dish. 
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • I recommend reheating it on the stove at low heat and adding a couple of splashes of heavy cream to keep it creamy.

Steph