The other night I was short on time but craving something comforting, creamy, and packed with flavor. This easy chicken pesto pasta was exactly what I needed. It is rich, fresh, and fast to make, perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something that feels like a treat.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
This dish comes together with fresh, simple ingredients. You’ll need Gemelli pasta, olive oil, butter, a yellow onion, garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chicken stock, half and half, cooked chicken breast, Parmesan, basil pesto, grape tomatoes, and fresh basil for garnish.
Each ingredient works together for a creamy, flavorful pasta that feels special but is easy enough to make anytime.
How to Make Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the Gemelli pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain and set aside. Save a splash of pasta water to adjust the sauce if needed.
Make the sauce
Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt butter and olive oil together. Add diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 more minute.
Whisk in chicken stock and half and half. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine and finish
Stir in the shredded or diced cooked chicken. Let it warm through for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat. Gradually stir in the basil pesto and Parmesan.
Add the cooked pasta and halved grape tomatoes. Toss everything together so the sauce evenly coats the pasta. Garnish with fresh basil and cracked black pepper before serving.
Helpful Tips for Success
Salt your pasta water well so the pasta itself is flavorful. Don’t overcook the pasta since it continues to absorb sauce even after draining. Also, dice the onion evenly so it cooks consistently.
If you want another weeknight chicken idea, try this oven-baked chicken thighs for easy weeknight dinners.
Variations to Try
Add broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms for extra veggies. For a little heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. You can also swap chicken for shrimp or cannellini beans for a vegetarian twist. The creamy pesto sauce works beautifully with almost anything.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken stock or half and half to loosen the sauce. Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
What to Serve with Chicken Pesto Pasta
This pasta pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables. A warm baguette is great for soaking up the sauce too. Or serve it alongside this Chinese-inspired chicken breast salad for light meals for a fresh contrast.
Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe Card
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Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Rich, creamy, flavorful chicken pesto pasta perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
1 lb Gemelli pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 yellow onion (diced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup half and half
2 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken breast
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
½ cup basil pesto (or more, to taste)
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and reserve some pasta water.
2. Heat large skillet over medium heat. Melt butter and olive oil. Cook onion 4-5 min until softened.
3. Stir in garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning. Cook 1 min until fragrant.
4. Whisk in chicken stock and half and half. Bring to boil then simmer 5 min to thicken.
5. Add chicken and cook 3-4 min until warmed through.
6. Remove from heat. Stir in pesto and Parmesan gradually until melted.
7. Add pasta and tomatoes. Toss to coat. Garnish with fresh basil and cracked pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcook pasta as it absorbs sauce while resting.
Salt pasta water generously for better flavor.
Dice onion evenly for consistent texture.
You can substitute cherry tomatoes or other pasta shapes.
Use rotisserie or oven-baked chicken for convenience.
Freshly grated Parmesan is best for smooth melting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 614mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 78mg
More Such Recipes
If you enjoy hearty, comforting chicken meals, you might also love these:
Try parmesan crusted chicken for a crispy Italian classic that delivers crunch and flavor.
Or go for cheesy mozzarella chicken bake for creamy comfort food, another easy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What to put in chicken and pesto pasta?
You will want pasta, chicken, pesto, Parmesan, cream or half and half, plus some garlic and onion for extra flavor. Tomatoes add a nice fresh touch too.
What pairs well with pesto pasta?
Fresh salads, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread go really well with pesto pasta.
How to get pesto to stick to chicken?
The creamy sauce helps the pesto cling beautifully. Make sure to toss the chicken in the sauce off the heat for best coating.
How to make chicken pesto pasta without cream?
Replace half and half with extra chicken stock or a splash of reserved pasta water for a lighter option.
Final Thoughts
This easy chicken pesto pasta is fast, creamy, and so satisfying. I hope it brings comfort to your table just like it does in mine. If you try it, I would love to hear how it goes. Leave a comment or review and share your tweaks!
Find more ideas and inspiration on my Pinterest and Facebook pages.