• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Laura Fuentes
  • Healthy Eating
  • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
  • About
  • #MOMLIFE
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Eat Healthy
  • Fasting
  • Meet Laura
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Eat Healthy
  • Fasting
  • Meet Laura
  • Contact
×

Pesto Chicken Pasta

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This pesto chicken pasta is the perfect midweek dinner that checks all the boxes: simple, flavorful, and everyone in the family will eat!

Every bite is full of delicious pesto flavor, making it an irresistible meal that’s filling and nutritious.

large skillet filled with chicken pesto pasta

Healthy Chicken Pesto Pasta

While some nights I make pesto pasta and call it a meal, by adding chicken to the recipe I’m able to increase the protein per serving and turn it into a healthy meal.

Other than how delicious this recipe is, both chicken and pasta are two low-fat ingredients that keep bellies full -win win!

And unlike most recipes on the internet for creamy chicken pasta with pesto that include cream cheese and shredded cheeses plus cream, this recipe is lighter by only using a little half and half and utilizing chicken broth to make a sauce.

One bite and this too will become your go-to pesto pasta recipe with chicken.

What Pasta Goes Well with Pesto

While all pasta varieties pair great with the pesto’s flavor profile, you’ll nearly always see penne, bowtie, elbows, and even baked ziti as a suggestion because the sauce will get trapped inside each bite.

Pesto is a pasta lover’s best friend and is also terrific with classic shapes like spaghetti, fettuccini, and angel hair.

For low-carb pasta, definitely add pesto to Spaghetti Squash or spiralized zucchini.

large bowl of pesto chicken pasta

Ingredients

Combining simple ingredients is what this pesto chicken pasta is all about! Stop stressing over complicated recipes and ingredients and make this one instead.

Print the recipe card below or browse to see what’s included:

  • Olive oil: for cooking.
  • Onion: a great aromatic to get started.
  • Garlic cloves: pre-minced garlic is always a great option, too.
  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Diced into bite-size pieces so they cook faster.
  • Chicken broth: or chicken stock work best.
  • Heavy cream or half & half: use whichever you have on hand.
  • Penne pasta: to trap all the pesto flavors inside.
  • Pesto: store-bought or homemade pesto.
  • Parmesan cheese: Add as much as you’d like!

How to Make Chicken Pesto Pasta

All you need are 10 minutes to prep this simple pasta dish. Here are the step-by-step directions to get started. (the full printable recipe card can be found below)

  1. Get sautéeing
    In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for about 3 minutes; add the garlic, and continue cooking until the onions have softened.
  2. Cook the chicken
    Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, long enough to sear on all sides.
  3. Add the liquids
    Slowly pour in the chicken broth and cream or half and half and scrape the tidbits from the chicken left at the bottom of the pan while stirring.
  4. Add the pasta
    Bring the mixture to a boil, add the pasta, and mix to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan with the lid, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the pasta is tender.
  5. Serve
    Open the lid, and stir in the pesto until incorporated and heated through. Turn off the heat, add the parmesan cheese, stir to combine, and serve.

Watch this quick video to see the magic happen!

How Long to Cook the Pasta

In this recipe, the pasta cooks directly in the pan and will absorb the liquids in it. It will need to cook, simmering, for about 12 to 15 minutes, making sure to stir throughout.

Since the pasta cooks with the chicken and other ingredients, it will also pick up on all the flavors that are in the pan.

serving skillet of pesto chicken pasta

Recipe Swaps and Additions

Consider this recipe the stepping stone to your pesto chicken pasta dreams. While it’s great as is, you can also:

  • Add bacon: crumble a few pieces cooked crispy over the top as a finishing touch.
  • Swap cheeses: out of Parmesan? use Pecorino, mozzarella, Monterrey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese.
  • Add veggies: add more nutrition by adding a few handfuls of fresh spinach, broccoli, or asparagus.
  • Use gluten-free pasta: you can use your favorite brand of gluten-free pasta in this recipe and increase the cooking time by approximately 3-ish minutes since gluten-free pasta tends to have a longer cooking time.
large dinner plate of pesto chicken pasta

What to Serve with Chicken Pesto Pasta

There is always room for fun side dishes! Here are some great sides to pair up with this pasta recipe:

  • Easy Everyday Side Salad
  • Roasted Broccolini
  • Low Carb Side Dishes
Print

Pesto Chicken Pasta

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

This Pesto Chicken Pasta is a fast and healthy recipe for everyone in the family to enjoy!

  • Author: Laura Fuentes
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 12 ounces boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, diced
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • ¼ cup heavy cream or half & half
  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • ⅓ cup pesto, store-bought or homemade pesto
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, more for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for about 3 minutes, add the garlic, and continue cooking until the onions have softened.
  2. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook, for about 5 minutes, long enough to sear on all sides.
  3. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and cream and scrape the tidbits from the chicken left at the bottom of the pan while stirring.
  4. Bring mixture to a boil, add the pasta, and mix to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan with the lid, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the pasta is tender.
  5. Open the lid, stir in the pesto until incorporated and heated through. Turn off the heat, add the parmesan cheese, stir to combine, and serve.

Equipment

Dinner Meal Plan

Buy Now →
chicken ebook displayed on an ipad and phone screen

Chicken. It’s What’s for Dinner

Buy Now →

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 577
  • Sugar: 4.6 g
  • Sodium: 762.4 mg
  • Fat: 17.8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 69.2 g
  • Fiber: 3.4 g
  • Protein: 32.9 g
  • Cholesterol: 82.4 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

More Pasta

  • creamy sauce in a pan and a wooden spoon.
    Lemon Garlic Sauce
  • Lemon Chicken Asparagus Pasta in a plate
    Lemon Chicken Asparagus Pasta
  • large plate of fettuccine alfredo with shredded parmesan cheese in the background
    Simple Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce with Cream
  • large pot of cajun salmon pasta
    Easy Cajun Salmon Pasta

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I'm Laura.
I inspire moms to live a healthy lifestyle while juggling their family and work with fresh recipes and practical advice.

More about me →

Let's Be Social!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram YouTube
Download The Busy Mom's Guide to a Healthier Life

Fresh Favorites

  • Best-Ever Bacon Deviled Eggs
  • stack of chocolate chip pancakes with bananas on a plate cut
    Fluffy Chocolate Chip Pancakes
  • low carb lunches in glass lunch containers
    20+ Low Carb Lunch Ideas
  • large baking dish of pesto chicken thighs
    Baked Pesto Chicken Thighs

Trending Now

  • two pieces of fried catfish with lemon slices
    New Orleans Fried Catfish Recipe
  • 35 Healthy Dessert Recipes
  • a collage with three smoothies and three blenders
    Best Cheap Blenders for Smoothies
  • list of real foods for intermittent fasting
    Intermittent Fasting Food List

Footer

^ back to top

Browse

  • Recipe Index
  • Weekly Meal Plan
  • Clean Eating Program

Download the Busy Mom's Guide to a Healthy Life

laura holding meal plan guide in front of prepped food

Useful Links

  • Contact
  • Permissions
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

COPYRIGHT © 2023 LAURA FUENTES · DESIGN BY FUENTES MEDIA