10 Minute Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta

What is chicken pesto pasta?

Chicken pesto pasta is a delicious and vibrant dish that's perfect for those who love a good mix of flavors and textures! At its heart, this dish combines tender, juicy pieces of chicken and al dente pasta, all tossed together with a rich and aromatic pesto sauce. This meal is not only a crowd-pleaser but also wonderfully versatile. We use shellbows for this recipe but you can choose from a variety of pasta like penne, spaghetti, or bowtie. You can even throw in some veggies like sun-dried tomatoes or spinach to elevate the nutrition and color of your plate.

Why you’ll love this chicken pesto pasta recipe

Quick and Easy – Life can get hectic, but this recipe is your back pocket secret! In just about 30 minutes, you'll have a delicious meal on the table. It’s straightforward and fuss-free, which is exactly what we all need.

Flavor Packed – Every bite offers a burst of fresh pesto flavor, combined with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a symphony of flavors that dance together in perfect harmony!

Versatile – Whether you want to add a bit more greens or perhaps some extra protein, this dish is incredibly adaptable. Throw in some pine nuts for crunch, sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy twist, or keep it simple with just the essential ingredients.

Family Favorite – It’s a guaranteed hit for both kids and adults. The familiar flavors are comforting for the little ones, while the sophistication of basil pesto appeals to the grown-up palate.

Healthy Touch – Packed with protein from the chicken and loaded with basil goodness, this dish doesn’t just taste good, it feels good to eat too!

The ingredients you will need to make chicken pesto pasta

Olive Oil: A key ingredient needed to cook the aromatics and char the pasta, so make sure that you don’t use just any old olive oil.

Chicken: Chicken's flavor profile works well with the bright, herbaceous flavors of pesto plus it provides a good source of protein, making the dish more substantial and satisfying.

Seasonings: Salt and black pepper enhance the flavor, and Italian seasoning adds an aromatic blend of herbs that complement the basil and other ingredients.

Shellbows: We love Shellbows, but you can use other tubular or corkscrew pasta shapes like the classic Elbow macaroni, twirly Cavatappi, Penne or Shells. Just make sure you cook it to an al dente texture.

Basil Pesto: You can make your own homemade pesto sauce for this recipe, or choose a tasty store-bought pesto. This is the heart of your chicken salad, so be sure it is a quality pesto.

Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are bite-sized and juicy, adding a burst of fresh flavor to the final dish.

Parmesan Cheese and Fresh Basil: Finish the pasta with parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Parmesan adds a nutty flavor and fresh basil provides a fresh, aromatic, and slightly peppery taste.

How to make chicken pesto pasta

Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt to taste. Cook pasta according to package directions.

Season and cook the chicken. Add the chicken to a large bowl and add salt, pepper and Italian herbs and toss to coat. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute then add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Combine the ingredients. Once the pasta is cooked, add it to the pan with the chicken then add the pesto and toss to coat. Add the cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese and gently fold to combine.

Finish and serve. Finish with fresh basil, a little more cheese and serve.

Top tips

Cook the chicken in a single layer. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken may steam instead of saute. Work in batches if your pan is not large enough to fit everything at once.

Use quality cookware. Thick, heavy cookware is best as it transfers heat evenly.

Have leftovers? They can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. They should be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, or you can freeze them for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge when you are ready to eat.

Reheating. We recommend reheating on the stove, at a low heat, and adding a couple of splashes of milk to keep it creamy. You can also reheat in the microwave, gently, for 60-90 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds to keep the sauce from breaking.

Substitutions and additions

Try different pesto sauces. We have a variety of jarred pesto flavors to choose from like Sun-Dried Tomato and Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive pesto.

Try different proteins. Swap out the chicken breast for grilled or sauteed shrimp, white beans or Italian sausage.

Add more veggies to the mix such as sun-dried tomatoes, cooked zucchini, sauteed mushrooms or bell peppers.

Try different type of cheese such as fresh mozzarella, grated granino or grated fontina.

Add extra ingredients for flavor and texture such as red pepper flakes, toasted pine nuts, heavy cream, lemon juice, or almonds.

Chicken Pesto Pasta: FAQ

What is pesto?

Pesto is a vibrant and aromatic sauce that originates from Italy, specifically the Liguria region. It's traditionally made by blending fresh basil leaves with garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, and a good quality olive oil. All these ingredients are combined to create a rich, green sauce that's bursting with flavor.

Pesto is incredibly versatile—perfect for dressing pasta, spreading on sandwiches, drizzling over grilled vegetables, or even adding a dollop to your soup for an extra kick of flavor. Its fresh, herby taste is a delight, making it a favorite in kitchens around the world.

Do I add pesto before or after cooking the pasta?

You’ll want to add your pesto after you’ve cooked and drained your pasta. Tossing the pasta with pesto while it’s still warm helps the sauce cling beautifully to each noodle, enhancing the flavors without overheating the pesto, which can alter its fresh, vibrant taste.

Do I heat the pesto before adding it to the pasta?

No need to heat the pesto before tossing it with your pasta. Just cook your pasta to your liking, drain it, and then mix in the pesto while the pasta is still hot. The warmth of the pasta will gently heat the pesto, allowing all those lovely flavors to meld perfectly.

Can I make chicken pesto pasta ahead of time?

Yes. Chicken pesto pasta is a great dish to make ahead of time. It’s perfect for busy days, meal planning, or when you need to prepare something delicious for a gathering. You can store it in the refrigerator for a few days without any worries. When you're ready to eat, simply reheat it gently, and maybe add a little extra pesto or a splash of water to refresh the flavors.

10 Minute Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta

• 1 tablespoon DeLallo Private Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• ¾ teaspoons DeLallo Italian Seasoning
• 1 (1-pound) package DeLallo Shellbows
• 1 (6.7-ounce) jar DeLallo Traditional Basil Pesto
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup freshly DeLallo Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt to taste. Cook pasta according to package directions..
2. Add the chicken to a large bowl and add salt, pepper and Italian herbs. Toss well to coat.
3. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
4. Add the pasta directly to the pan with the chicken then add the pesto and toss to coat.
5. Add the cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese and gently fold to combine.
6. Finish with fresh basil and serve.

You might also like...

Shop related products...

Shop related products...