This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.
Combine your favorite pesto sauce with pasta and rotisserie chicken for a quick family meal everyone will devour!
Quick Pesto Pasta with Rotisserie Chicken
I have a thing for one-skillet chicken meals, and this recipe explains why! Delicious rotisserie chicken pesto pasta that comes together fast in one pan. What’s not to love about it?
Since rotisserie chicken is my favorite way to shorten cooking time on busy weeknights, I decided to use it to make my tasty chicken pesto pasta. It turns out SO good, and it has that unique flavor that only pesto can bring.
Ingredients
The base of this meal is penne pasta (or your favorite) and chopped or shredded rotisserie chicken. Extra deliciousness comes from onion, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream (or half & half), and pesto sauce (my homemade recipe or one from the store). The final touch? Parmesan cheese!
How to Make Rotisserie Chicken Pesto Pasta
I usually chop or shred the chicken ahead of time to make this recipe even faster. Once that’s done, you’ll use a skillet to sauté the aromatics and cook the pasta with the chicken broth and the heavy cream. Add the chicken to warm it up, the pesto sauce, a little cheese, and this meal is done.
Success Tips
Follow these cooking tips to make perfect rotisserie chicken pesto pasta every single time:
Use a lid
Cover the skillet with a lid while the pasta cooks to trap the steam and cook the pasta faster.
Wait for the liquid to boil
Don’t add the pasta to the liquid until it boils. Otherwise, pasta could turn out mushy instead of al dente.
Stir
While you cook the aromatics and after adding the pesto, remember to stir to keep the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
What to Serve with This Easy Pasta Dish
Serving a healthy side like a simple side salad or spicy green beans is an easy way to make this meal even more nutritious in no time. This pasta also goes great with corn and tomato salad or roasted asparagus.
More Quick Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
A rotisserie chicken in your kitchen guarantees an awesome dinner, like these 15-minute chicken quesadillas, these rotisserie chicken tacos, or these nutritious chicken Greek bowls. Want something quick and cozy? Make this mouthwatering rotisserie chicken chili in less than half an hour!
Rotisserie Chicken Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken, about ½ chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream or half & half
- ⅓ cup pesto, store-bought or homemade pesto
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, more for serving
Instructions
Make the sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat olive 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. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and cream.
Cook 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. When the pasta is nearly done but a little tough, add the cooked chicken to the pasta.
Add pesto:
- Open the lid, stir in the pesto until incorporated and heated through.
Serve:
- Turn off the heat, add the parmesan cheese, stir to combine, and serve.
Kristen says
A hit every single time and also picky toddler approved. My son absolutely adores your spinach pancake recipe as well!
Laura Fuentes says
Thank you for sharing that this rotisserie chicken pesto pasta is a winner!
Janey says
Loved this rotisserie pasta!
Jennie says
This pesto past with rotisserie chicken was absolutely fantastic! So quick and easy to make too.