Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe | Cooked In One Pan In 20 Minutes

This chicken pesto pasta recipe combines tender chicken breast with al dente cooked pasta and a creamy pesto sauce that's overflowing with flavor. Honestly, this is hands down the easiest one pan pasta recipe that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Best of all, it only takes 20 minutes from start to finish to make!

The Best Chicken Pesto Pasta

One-pan recipes always just seem to taste better. And that's especially true when they combine perfectly paired ingredients - like pesto sauce, seasoned chicken, and pasta.

Plus, who doesn't love how easy one-pan recipes are to clean up? I know I sure do.

Also, another thing I love about this chicken pesto pasta is how quick it is to make. The entire cooking process requires following just 4 simple steps. And, as I mentioned just a second ago, those should only take you about 20 minutes to follow. So this pesto pasta with chicken is terrific for busy weeknights or for whenever you want a restaurant-worthy meal without having to spend too much time in the kitchen.

By the way, while this creamy pesto chicken pasta is absolutely delish on its own, it's even better paired with some sides. I like to make these crack green beans or this Little Caesars crazy bread when I make it. They really are the perfectly compliment to this pesto pasta.

Ingredients

This recipe for creamy chicken pesto pasta is made with all common ingredients and you probably have most - if not all - of them at home already.

Anyway, here's everything you'll need to make this recipe:

• ½ lb. chicken breasts, skinless, boneless
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic paste
• ¾ cup chicken broth
• 6 oz. penne pasta
• ½ cup milk
• 2 oz. cream cheese
• 2 tbsp basil pesto
• 3 sun-dried tomatoes, sliced or chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese

So, hopefully, you have a few of these at home already. If not, a quick trip to the store is well worth it.

And you can use some of these ingredients to make some more of my delicious pasta recipes like this Olive Garden chicken pasta and shrimp pasta next. So don't be afraid to stock up on 'em if you are missing a few. You can always put the extras to good use by making those recipes.

By the way, if you're looking for a delicious chicken recipe that you can make using some of these ingredients, you'll definitely want to check out my super popular marry me chicken.

How to Make Homemade Pesto

Now, just so you know, you can use store-bought pesto or homemade pesto for this recipe. If you want to make your own pesto, here are the ingredients you'll need:

• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh garlic
• ¼ cup fresh parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• ¼ cup olive oil

To make pesto from scratch, simply blend all of the ingredients in a food processor until smooth but still chunky. With that said, you may need to scrape down the side of the food processor halfway through. 

How To Make Chicken Pesto Pasta

As I've said, this one pan creamy chicken and pasta dish takes only about 20 minutes - and that's including prep time. And, again, the entire process really couldn't be any easier.

You just cook the chicken, add the chicken broth and penne pasta, then add the creamy pesto sauce ingredients. That's pretty much all there is to it!

Anyway, let's not waste another second and jump into how to make chicken pesto pasta. 

Step 1: Cook The Chicken 

Begin by heating your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper, and add the chicken to the skillet. Cook the chicken for about 4 minutes - until golden brown - and then flip and cook on the other side for another 4 minutes.

Step 2: Add The Pasta

Next, add the garlic paste and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes.

Now, after we've cooked those, we're going to cook the pasta. To do this, add the chicken stock and penne pasta to the skillet. Then, cover it with a lid and cook until the pasta is al dente. You can refer to the package directions for specific cooking times.

Step 3: Make The  Creamy Pesto sauce

So, now it's time to make the creamy pesto sauce.

First, wait until most of the stock has evaporated, then add the milk, cream cheese, and pesto. Then, give everything a stir and cook until the cream cheese has melted.

To finish up, add the grated parmesan cheese and give it one final stir. 

Step 4: Serve The Chicken Pesto Pasta

Finally, serve this chicken pesto pasta warm. You can top it off with some grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you want to add some spice.

Enjoy!

How To Store Chicken Pesto Pasta

This recipe for chicken pesto pasta will make about 2 servings. So, if you're planning on serving this for a big family dinner, you'll want to double - or triple - the recipe. And while this dish tastes great fresh, dare I say it makes for even better leftovers. 

In fact, this is one of my favorite pasta recipes for meal prep. I make it on Sunday and have it for the week. The best part is I don't have to spend my whole Sunday in the kitchen!

Speaking of leftovers, you can store your leftover chicken pesto pasta in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

However, to keep it for longer, you can also easily freeze your pesto chicken pasta for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.

How To Reheat Chicken Pesto Pasta

To reheat your pesto chicken pasta, I recommend cooking it again on the stovetop. Just put the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth and cook for about 5 minutes, constantly stirring to make sure it reheats evenly.

Alternatively, you can also reheat your dish in the oven set to 350°F for about 10 minutes or until thoroughly warm.

FAQs About This Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

Do you heat pesto before putting on pasta?

You do not need to heat pesto before putting it on pasta. You can add room-temperature pesto to cooked pasta and toss it in while the pasta is still warm. However, this recipe heats the pesto along with the rest of the ingredients, making for an extra creamy sauce.

How do you use pesto sauce for pasta?

My favorite way to use pesto sauce for pasta is by combining it with other complementary ingredients, just like in this recipe! You can also just cook pasta and anything else you want - like some veggies - and add the pesto sauce to it. Then, just give everything a mix, and dinner is served. 

Wrapping It Up

Well, that is how to make chicken pesto pasta.

Who knew making homemade chicken pasta could be so easy? Just a few common kitchen ingredients, a little prep work, one pan, and 15-20 minutes are all that it takes!

This dish is fast, makes little mess, and can be easily enjoyed all week long as lunch or served for an easy weeknight dinner. And it has such a rich flavor to it that your family will think you spent all day making it! 

As always, if you give this recipe a try, leave a comment below and tell us all about it!

And, for more easy recipes just like this one check us out on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

More Pasta Recipes

Craving more easy pasta recipes? If you are, we have a ton on the blog I think you'll love!

Check out some of our most popular easy pasta recipes:

• Luca pasta
• Parmesan noodles
• Creamy salmon pasta
• Olive Garden chicken alfredo
• Cheesecake Factory four cheese pasta
• Cheesecake Factory pasta carbonara

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