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Chicken Pesto Pasta is a light and delicious recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping for the week!
Pasta is an inexpensive way to feed a crowd on a budget. Not to mention what kid doesn’t love pasta? This pasta is a quick to make and super versatile as well.
What type of pasta should I use?
I recommend using a noodle that has grooves within the noodles. The grooves of the pasta help to hold the pesto sauce in!
How should I cook the chicken?
If you have leftover grilled chicken, this is a great option!
However, if you need to cook chicken, I recommend dicing the chicken breasts and cooking on the stove in a large skillet sprinkled with your families favorite seasonings like garlic salt, pepper or even chicken/steak seasoning for additional flavors. Blackened chicken would also be very good within this recipe!
Ingredients for Pesto Chicken Pasta
- pasta – penne or ziti pasta works best as it holds the pesto in the nooks and crannies.
- fresh basil leaves
- garlic
- water
- pine nuts
- olive oil
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- grated parmesan cheese
If desired, you can serve the pesto and chicken over a fresh bed of spinach to keep keto or low carb friendly.
Variations
There are so many options to pasta. Try adding or substutiting”
- protein – substitute the chicken breasts for chicken thighs, shrimp or even Italian sausage.
- veggies – add in sauteed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach or zucchini to the pasta
- cheese – serve with freshly grated parmesan, or melt fresh mozzarella over the top of the pasta before serving
How to Make Pesto Pasta with Chicken
Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
Start by browning your chicken. You can season with garlic salt and pepper if you choose.
While the chicken is cooking, make pesto by combining basil, garlic, water, pine nuts and olive oil in a food processor and blend until desired consistency.
Combine the pesto with the pasta.
Top with chicken and parmesan.
Serve!
MORE EASY PASTA RECIPES
- Taco Pasta in the Slow Cooker
- Ravioli Lasagna
- Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
- One Pot Penne Bolognese
- Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
Yield: 4 servings
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta is a light and delicious pasta recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping for the week!
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 oz. pasta, ziti or penne
- 40-50 fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp water, warm
- 4 tbsp pine nuts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 6 oz. chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
Start by browning your chicken. You can season with garlic salt and pepper if you choose.
While the chicken is cooking, make pesto by combining basil, garlic, water, pine nuts and olive oil in a food processor and blend until desired consistency.
Combine the pesto with the pasta.
Top with chicken and parmesan.
Serve!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 452Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 110mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 35g
hi! I'm shannon
I’m a wife, mom of three, doctor, and blogger! In 2018, I decided to turn my mom blog, into a personal finance blog so others could follow along on our journey to pay off over HALF a MILLION dollars in student loan and practice start up debt. I hope you enjoy following along, and maybe even find some inspiration along the way.
