• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

A Pinch of Healthy

Simple, tasty recipes with a healthy twist

Display Search Bar
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on InstagramFollow me on PinterestFollow me on TwitterFollow me on YouTube
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me
    • My Cancer Diagnosis
    • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
    • Resources for Bloggers
    • How I Turned My Food Blog Into a Career
    • Shop My Favorites
      • Favorite Kitchen Goodies
      • Best Mineral Makeup (+Video Demo)
  • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Salads
    • Basics
    • Desserts
    • Recipe Index
  • Shop
    • My Amazon Store
    • Essential Oils
      • What Are Essential Oils (+ How They Work)
      • Essential Oils Starter Kits
      • New Member Special
      • Best Mineral Makeup (+Video Demo)
Home » Food » Recipes » Main Dishes » Chicken Pesto Pasta (fresh, flavorful dinner)

Chicken Pesto Pasta (fresh, flavorful dinner)

638 shares
  • Share2
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta

Chicken pesto pasta is a crazy delicious dinner packed with fresh flavor, and it is an all time favorite recipe in my family.

closeup chicken pesto pasta in white bowl

You can make this recipe with homemade basil pesto, or with store bought. If you are going the store-bought route, I highly recommend the Kirkland brand from Costco. You can find it in the refrigerated section.

Of course, homemade is always the best tasting! And some store bought pesto is flat out gross, but the Kirkland one is very good.👍🏻

Also, I like fresh tomatoes in my pesto pasta, but my kids do not. Just look at these baby heirloom rainbow tomatoes.😍

baby heirloom rainbow tomatoes halved on a white cutting board

I personally think that pesto and tomatoes are a match made in heaven. But if you are serving tomato haters like my kids, just serve them on the side.👌🏻

Tips for making chicken pesto pasta

Tip 1 – How much pesto to use

One batch of my homemade pesto recipe makes just enough to coat one pound of pasta, about 3/4 cup.

basil pesto in a mason jar on a marble surface with spoon and stems of fresh basil

If I can get my hands on a lot of basil, I prefer to make a double batch so that I have extra if I want it. And I freeze whatever we don’t use. We like lots of pesto on our pasta!

If you are using Kirkland brand pesto from Costco, you will have lots of extra if needed!

Tip 2 – Save some starchy pasta water

Also, I wanted to give a tip for how I assemble my chicken pesto pasta.

chicken pesto pasta in a white bowl on a marble surface with green towel

Always be sure and reserve some of the pasta water. Carefully collect it just after the pasta is cooked, and just prior to draining it. I use a coffee mug, and I carefully dunk it into the water to collect anywhere from about a half cup to a full cup or so of the starchy pasta water.

When I get ready to mix everything together, I generally use the pot that I cooked the pasta in as my “mixing bowl.” One less dish to wash!😂👌🏻

Next, I add the drained pasta back into the pot (no longer on a heat source). I spoon the pesto on top, and I add a little splash of the pasta water (not the whole thing, maybe start with a couple Tablespoons). This thins it out and helps it distribute evenly over all the pasta.

And then I toss it up, adding more water if I need it. Also, I prefer to toss in part of the tomatoes, and save a few to sprinkle on top. (Or leave them all on the side, if you wish.)

Finally, add the tossed pasta to a serving dish, and layer your toppings right on top. For this time, I did the sliced chicken, tomatoes and a few whole pine nuts, plus a few whole basil stems for garnish. Some fresh basil (torn or chopped) and/ or parmesan cheese would also be great sprinkled on top as a garnishes.

Tip 3 – what type of pasta works best for chicken pesto pasta?

We love penne (pictured) or fusilli pastas best for this recipe. I just think these two types of pasta hold on to the pesto better. That being said, any type of pasta will work.

chicken pesto pasta on white plate shot overhead on marble surface

Tip 4 – what’s the best chicken to use for chicken pesto pasta?

You have lots of options here. I often use leftover store-bought rotisserie chicken. That is the easiest option. What you see in the pictures here is my Instant Pot chicken breasts.

closeup chicken pesto pasta on white plate with fork

This is one of my most used and most loved recipes.

I will sometimes make them fresh for this recipe. But I also make a big batch of these one night for dinner with a couple sides. And I make a few extra and save in the refrigerator for chicken pesto pasta the next night. Having them prepped makes it so easy. You could also use the following:

  • Air Fryer chicken breasts
  • Grilled chicken breasts
  • Baked chicken breasts
  • Leftover Instant Pot rotisserie chicken
  • Instant pot chicken thighs
  • Store-bought prepped and cooked chicken

How do I make this vegetarian?

You can make it as is, minus the chicken of course. Or you can also opt to add in some cooked (rinsed and drained) cannellini beans. Or other any combination of other roasted vegetables would be great in this too, such as broccoli and mushrooms, roasted red peppers or asparagus pieces.

Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

Did you try this recipe? Give it a star rating. Pin it and share it if it looks good to you. And be sure and stay connected on social media!

Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter

closeup chicken pesto pasta in white bowl
5 from 1 vote
Print

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Chicken pesto pasta is a crazy delicious dinner packed with fresh flavor, and it is an all time favorite recipe in my family.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword chicken pesto pasta
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 495 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta (any type, but penne and fusilli are our favorites)
  • 3/4 cup basil pesto (store bought or homemade)
  • 1 pound chicken breast (Cooked - can also use rotisserie chicken, see notes)
  • 2 cups baby tomatoes halved
  • pasta water (reserved after cooking, about 1/2 to a cup, and you may not use it all)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta per package instructions, in well-salted water.

  2. After the pasta is cooked and just prior to draining it, carefully use a mug to scoop out some of the starchy cooking water.

  3. Drain the pasta.

  4. In a large mixing bowl (or in your cooking pot, removed from heat source), toss together your pasta, pesto, half the tomatoes and a splash of pasta water. I start with a couple tablespoons (eyeballing it). 

  5. Toss and add more water, if you wish, to get desired consistency.

  6. Transfer pasta to serving dish, and top with cooked chicken, remaining tomatoes and any other garnishes (chopped or torn basil, parmesan cheese, whole pine nuts, etc.)

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.

This recipe makes 6 hearty servings or 8 smaller servings. Nutritional information is for 6 servings.

I have used all of the following types of chicken successfully in this recipe:

  • Instant Pot chicken breasts (pictured)
  • Air Fryer chicken breasts
  • Grilled chicken breasts
  • Baked chicken breasts
  • Leftover Instant Pot rotisserie chicken
  • Instant pot chicken thighs
  • Store-bought prepped and cooked chicken
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 495 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 50mg17%
Sodium 384mg17%
Potassium 566mg16%
Carbohydrates 60g20%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 27g54%
Vitamin A 1060IU21%
Vitamin C 7.7mg9%
Calcium 75mg8%
Iron 1.6mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(Visited 10,249 times, 3 visits today)

Related posts:

  1. Cajun Shrimp and Grits (with Andouille Sausage)
638 shares
  • Share2
  • Yummly

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jesus is my saviour says

    June 28, 2019 at 8:45 am

    Thanks for share this Italian recipe.

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      June 28, 2019 at 10:51 am

      Enjoy!💖

      Reply
  2. Christy says

    April 5, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    This is one of my favorite recipes!

    Reply
  3. İzmir Nakliyat says

    March 12, 2019 at 6:24 pm

    Thanks to Italian recipe for a wonderful and wonderful pasta dinner.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I am a home cook, recipe developer, coffee drinker, wife and mom of two. My recipes are simple and tasty. I enjoy lots of fresh, healthy food, plus full treats without guilt. Thanks so much for stopping by! Read more here.

Reader Favorites

  • Thai Chicken Lettuce WrapsThai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
  • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (crispy skin, fluffy middle)Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (crispy skin, fluffy middle)
  • Tender Air Fryer Chicken Breast RecipeTender Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe

Footer

Recipes

Macerated Strawberries closeup

Macerated Strawberries

March 20, 2023

Irish potato leek soup with cheese, green onions and bacon

Irish Potato Leek Soup (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

March 13, 2023

Vegan Tomato Soup in a white bowl with spoon

Vegan Tomato Soup

March 6, 2023

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese on a white plate with a hand grabbing half

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

February 27, 2023

Life

All racially diverse hands on deck

I’ll Be Your Ally: A Pledge

June 7, 2020

hands making heart shape together

Silver Linings

April 2, 2020

Ideal weight and weight neutrality

Why I practice weight neutrality

January 30, 2020

Are you sensitive?

Sensitive is my superpower. Is it yours too?

December 17, 2019

Video

The best mineral makeup Savvy Minerals by Young Living

Best Mineral Makeup (+Video Demo)

March 29, 2018

What I Bought at Sprouts (Grocery Haul)

March 14, 2018

What I Bought at Trader Joe’s (Grocery Haul)

March 9, 2018

My Entrepreneur Story

February 28, 2018

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Theme by Once Coupled · Copyright© 2023 · Privacy