Pasta with sauce is a lifesaver! I serve them at least once a week at my house, especially on busy weeknights when I’m short on time. They’re easy to put together, endlessly versatile, and appeal to practically everyone’s palate. However, I get tired of traditional spaghetti, meatballs, and plain old mac and cheese. That’s why I love this chicken pesto pasta. It comes together in record time and uses basic ingredients I always have in my pantry. And it not only tastes out of the ordinary but also out of this world!
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Chicken Pesto Pasta
Make the Pasta – Boil pasta according to package instructions or until it’s al dente. Drain water, reserving about a cup. Set aside.Cook Chicken – Salt the chicken breast, then season with Italian seasoning. Alternatively, use just salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large saucepan or large skillet over medium heat until hot, and then add the chicken and brown for 4-5 minutes on each side to ensure even brownness. Gently remove the chicken and set it aside.Sauté – Add butter to the same skillet over medium heat until melted, then add onions, garlic, and thyme. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the onions wilt.Make the Sauce – Whisk in flour, then turn down the heat to medium-low and cook for about a minute. Pour in heavy cream, add chicken broth while whisking, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has reduced and thickened. Add pesto, parmesan cheese, and pepper flakes (optional).Mix and Serve – Add cooked pasta to the saucepan and stir to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water. Remove from the heat. Serve topped with chicken breast and garnish with fresh chopped basil.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Creamy pasta dishes are best served fresh. However, you can get a head start on this exquisite dish by cooking the chicken, sauce, and pasta before and storing them separately. Then assemble and reheat it all right before serving. Homemade pesto can be made a week ahead of time.
Serving and Storage Instructions
If you’re fortunate enough to have leftovers, this dish is stored in the fridge for 4 days and reheats beautifully. I recommend reheating it in a saucepan over low heat. You may want to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to keep the sauce creamy. You can also freeze it for 3-4 months and thaw it in the fridge overnight when you want a quick dinner option.
What to Serve With Chicken Pesto Pasta
For a quick dinner, I serve it with fresh, crusty no-knead bread and a simple yet elegant tossed salad or cucumber tomato salad. Or, for a larger crowd, I’ll whip up some homemade garlic bread with sauteed Brussels sprouts and mushrooms on the side.
More Outstanding Pasta Recipes to Try
Love all things pasta? Here are more options for quick and delicious weeknight meals.
Conclusion
With its tantalizing aroma and cheesy, herby flavors, this chicken pesto pasta is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Are you hungry for more time-saving recipes? Sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date.❤️
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”X7vKs6m5″ upload-date=”2022-07-11T16:19:13.000Z” name=”CHICKEN PESTO PASTA revised.mp4″ description=”Chicken Pesto Pasta is tender penne tossed with creamy, herby pesto sauce and topped with perfectly seasoned, grilled chicken. ” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”]
