Easy Pesto Pasta with Chicken – One Pot Dinner
What’s for dinner, mom? How about delicious pesto pasta with chicken? Made in one pot, it will take you 40 minutes from start to finish. This is the first recipe in my new series “Simple Dinners To Make When Coming Home From Work.”
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What’s for dinner, Mom?” I hear this question every night, and it used to make me feel stressed. Especially because, most of the time, my younger son wouldn’t even eat what I cooked. Since I started meal planning, it has become much better. I also now ask my kids what they would like to have for dinner before I plan, and it works wonders!
This chicken pesto pasta recipe is one of their favorites, along with quick creamy pesto pasta (no chicken), Easy Pasta With Crispy Prosciutto, and Pasta With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes.
I love this simple pasta dish too because, with a little planning ahead of time, you can have a perfect family dinner without stress and sad faces at the table. Let’s begin!
3 Reasons to Make This Pesto Pasta Your New Go-To Dinner:
– One-Pot Dinner: It is all cooked in a single pot, minimizing cleanup and simplifying your weeknight routine. I love how quickly this comes together on busy nights.
– Healthy and Delicious: Pesto is packed with nutrients, adding a healthy dose of greens to your meal.
– Kid-Approved: Most kids love the taste of pesto, making this a meal the whole family can enjoy.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious creamy pesto pasta with chicken.
Ingredient Notes:
- Chicken: I used chicken breast to make this chicken pesto pasta.
- Pesto Sauce: I usually make my own creamy pesto sauce, but store-bought pesto works too for an even quicker meal.
- Pasta: Any pasta shape will work! My kids love penne and bow ties, so that’s what we usually use.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients 👇
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it gluten-free: You can easily make this peso pasta gluten-free. Simply use your favorite pasta and follow the recipe. You might need a little more liquid to cook it.
Savings Tips:
Use chicken thighs instead of breasts: Chicken thighs are typically less expensive than chicken breasts and taste really good too.
Make your own pesto: Homemade pesto can be more affordable than store-bought and allows you to customize the flavor to your liking.
How to Make Pesto Pasta with Chicken in One Pot
Step 1: Melt the butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds), being careful not to burn it.
Step 2: Add chicken cubes to the skillet and season with pepper. Cook until chicken is sealed, about 3-5 minutes. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point.
Step 3: Add dry pasta to the pot along with chicken stock and half of the pure cream. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente (cooked but still firm to the bite), about 10-12 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in the pesto sauce, remaining heavy cream, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine.
Step 5: Warm the pasta for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently. Don’t let the sauce boil.
Step 6: Serve immediately, topped with remaining Parmesan cheese and any additional toppings you desire
Expert Tips:
Cut the chicken right after you buy it and label it “Chicken for Pesto Pasta” before storing it in the fridge or freezer. It will make the cooking process much faster
❄️ How to Store Pesto Pasta
- Refrigerate: Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Portion individual servings into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
Have you tried this recipe? If so, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could leave a star rating and share your thoughts in a comment. Your feedback means a lot to me, and it can also help others who are interested in trying it out. Thank you! 🌟👩🍳
📜Recipe
Easy Pesto Pasta with Chicken – One Pot Dinner
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 500 grams ground chicken 1 lb
- 350 grams penne or bow-tie pasta 12 oz
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup pure or heavy cream (divided in two)
- 1 cup pesto sauce homemade or storebought
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- black pepper to season
- fresh basil to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the chicken cubes, season with pepper, and cook for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is sealed but not fully cooked.
- Add the dry pasta to the pot along with chicken stock and half of the cream. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook with the lid on for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
- Stir in the pesto sauce, remaining cream, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring gently. Make sure not to let the sauce boil.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: To prevent the pasta from becoming too soft, make sure to cook it al dente. Stir frequently to avoid it sticking to the pot.
- Adjust Liquid as Needed: Depending on the type of pasta you use, you may need to add a little more chicken stock or water while cooking.
- Pesto Sauce: You can use either store-bought or homemade pesto. I have an easy pesto sauce recipe if you want to make it from scratch.
- Chicken Thighs Option: Chicken thighs can also be used instead of chicken breasts. They are juicier and more forgiving in case of overcooking.
- Gluten-Free Option: If you’re using gluten-free pasta, keep in mind that it may absorb more liquid, so you will need to add extra broth or water to cook the pasta. You can also pre-cook the pasta before adding to the chicken.
This is a fave with my kids. It’s both quick and super creamy and tasty. Only a little more effort and a lot more flavour than simply stirring pesto through your pasta.
So happy to hear this, Alana 🤗 Thank you for the review!!