• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hint of Healthy
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Collections
  • Cooking Skills
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Pasta

    Chicken and Pesto Pasta

    Posted: Apr 15, 2020 · Updated: Feb 16, 2022 by Tonje

    Jump to Recipe

    This 10 minute chicken and pesto pasta is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or lunch.

    Chicken and pesto pasta in a bowl with fresh basil in the background.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make chicken and pesto pasta
    • 🐓 Chicken
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🥗 Serving suggestions
    • 🍲 Leftovers
    • 🍴 You might also like these recipes..
    • 📋 Frequently asked questions
    • Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about it in the privacy policy.

    Pasta with pesto is one of my favorite meals to just quickly throw together as a simple meal. By adding diced chicken breast, the meal is hearthier, rich in protein and a more filling main course.

    The simplicity of this 3 ingredient recipe really can't be beat. And if you're looking for a more complex dish, it's so easy to add whichever ingredients you like. You can add fresh, roasted or sauteed vegetables, herbs, leafy greens, nuts & seeds or any other ingredients you prefer.

    🥘 Ingredients

    For this recipe you will need chicken breast fillets, pesto (buy your favorite, or make it yourself), pasta and garlic cloves.

    Additionally, you will need cooking spray or vegetable oil for cooking, as well as salt and pepper for seasoning.

    🔪 How to make chicken and pesto pasta

    Add the pasta to boiling water and cook according to the instructions on the package. Most types of pasta will cook through in 3-10 minutes.

    Meanwhile, grate the garlic, and finely dice the chicken. Heat some cooking spray or vegetable oil in a frying pan, then add the chicken. Cook until the chicken has barely cooked through, then add the garlic and saute for another minute. Set the chicken aside.

    When the pasta has finished boiling, drain off the excess water. Add the pesto, chicken and garlic, and stir to combine. Serve the chicken and pesto pasta immediately while it's still hot.

    Pasta with chicken and pesto in a bowl on a marble table.

    🐓 Chicken

    I prefer to make this dish with lean chicken breast fillets, but you can alternatively use chicken thigh fillets instead. Boneless chicken is definitely preferred, as you don't want any skins or bones in your pasta dish.

    This is also a great recipe for using any leftover chicken! You can add leftover shredded slow cooker chicken or roasted chicken for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

    💭 Top tips

    Here's my best advice to make the perfect pesto and chicken pasta:

    • Use your favorite pesto in this recipe! A high quality pesto will make all the difference, since that's where most of the flavor comes from.
    • Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces, and cook until it has barely cooked through. Try to make sure that the chicken is tender, and not dry.
    • Serve this pasta with freshly grated parmesan, freshly ground black pepper or basil leaves. These toppings are commonly used with Italian dishes, and go really well with spaghetti.

    🥗 Serving suggestions

    You can serve this dish as is, or add fresh or roasted vegetables to it. Try adding cherry tomatoes, broccolini, green beans, rocket, roasted cauliflower or roasted chickpeas.

    Alternatively, consider serving it with a side salad, such as tomato and cucumber salad or tomato and mozzarella salad.

    🍲 Leftovers

    Leftover chicken and pesto pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. They can be served cold, or reheated in the microwave.

    This recipe is absolutely perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch, and prepare lunches or dinners for the days to come.

    🍴 You might also like these recipes..

    If you love tasty pasta dishes, try any of these recipes:

    • Beef pasta bake in a casserole dish with a plated portion on the side, on a marble table.
      Minced beef pasta bake
    • Garlic basil pasta in bowl.
      Garlic Basil Pasta
    • Spicy Sausage Pasta
    • Salmon and creme fraiche pasta with basil.
      Salmon and creme fraiche pasta

    📋 Frequently asked questions

    Is this recipe allergy friendly? - Consult the nutrition labels on the ingredients you use to make sure that they are suitable for your diet. This recipe is generally dairy free, soy free, nut free and egg free.

    Can I make this without chicken? - Absolutely. Omit the chicken for a vegetarian version of the dish, or use a different kind of meat if you wish.

    Recipe

    Pesto pasta with chicken and fresh basil.

    Chicken and Pesto Pasta

    This 15 minute chicken and pesto pasta is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or lunch.
    No ratings yet
    Created by: Tonje
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Course Dinner, lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 272 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 600 g chicken breast fillets
    • 200 g pasta
    • 6 tablespoon pesto
    • 2 garlic cloves

    Instructions
     

    • Add the pasta to boiling water and cook according to the instructions on the package. Most types of pasta will cook through in 3-10 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, grate the garlic, and finely dice the chicken. Heat some cooking spray or vegetable oil in a frying pan, then add the chicken. Cook until the chicken has barely cooked through, then add the garlic and saute for another minute. Set the chicken aside.
    • When the pasta has finished boiling, drain off the excess water. Add the pesto, chicken and garlic, and stir to combine. Serve the chicken and pesto pasta immediately while it’s still hot.

    Notes

    Is this recipe allergy friendly? – Consult the nutrition labels on the ingredients you use to make sure that they are suitable for your diet. This recipe is generally dairy free, soy free, nut free and egg free.
    Can I make this without chicken? – Absolutely. Omit the chicken for a vegetarian version of the dish, or use a different kind of meat if you wish.

    Leftovers

    Leftover chicken and pesto pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. They can be served cold, or reheated in the microwave.
    This recipe is absolutely perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch, and prepare lunches or dinners for the days to come.

    Top tips

    Here’s my best advice to make the perfect pesto and chicken pasta:
    • Use your favorite pesto in this recipe! A high quality pesto will make all the difference, since that’s where most of the flavor comes from.
    • Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces, and cook until it has barely cooked through. Try to make sure that the chicken is tender, and not dry.
    • Serve this pasta with freshly grated parmesan, freshly ground black pepper or basil leaves. These toppings are commonly used with Italian dishes, and go really well with spaghetti.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 34gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 647mgPotassium: 721mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 715IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword chicken, egg free, nut free, pasta, pesto, soy free
    Tried this recipe?Mention @hintofhealthyfood or tag #hintofhealthy!

    More Healthy Pasta Recipes

    • Spicy harissa pasta with tomatoes and onions.
      Spicy Harissa Pasta
    • Chicken pasta with spinach and alfredo sauce in a bowl.
      Chicken Spinach Alfredo
    • Close up of bacon and mushroom pasta.
      Bacon and Mushroom Pasta
    • Pasta with kielbasa sausage on a plate.
      Kielbasa Pasta

    Latest Recipes

    Instant Pot Ham and Beans.

    Instant Pot Ham and Beans

    Sauteed sweet potatoes on a plate.

    Sauteed Sweet Potatoes

    Orzo Pesto Salad in a bowl.

    Orzo Pesto Salad

    Brussels sprouts in slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tonje! I make easy and healthy everyday recipes that your family will love. Browse my recipe collection to discover new favorites, and make sure to let me know what you think!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Close up picture of air fried eggplant fries.
      Air Fryer Eggplant
    • Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
      Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
    • Two thin pancakes with walnuts on a plate.
      Crepes with Almond Milk
    • Sliced pork with crackling.
      Air Fryer Pork Roast
    • Slow Cooker Beef Stew.
      Slow Cooker Beef Stew
    • Air Fryer Tilapia.
      Air Fryer Tilapia

    As Seen In

    Hint of healthy as seen in

    Footer


    2022 © Hint of Healthy Privacy Policy Disclaimer Contact About