This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is an easy, flavorful dinner made with seasoned chicken, tender penne pasta, and a rich homemade pesto cream sauce. Parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and basil pesto come together to make a creamy pasta sauce that’s packed with flavor and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ready with simple ingredients and made mostly in one skillet, this chicken pesto pasta is the kind of comforting dinner the whole family will love!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Creamy and flavorful – Basil pesto adds so much flavor to the homemade Parmesan cream sauce.
- Easy weeknight dinner – Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this perfect for busy evenings.
- Family-friendly – Creamy pasta is always a hit, and the pesto adds flavor without making the dish complicated.
- Great leftovers – Make a batch for dinner and enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day.
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
For the Creamy Pesto Sauce
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp basil pesto
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- For an even creamier sauce, reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. You can use a splash later if you need to loosen the sauce.
- Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to a mixing bowl.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken and cook for approximately 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean bowl and set aside.
- Reduce the skillet to medium heat.
- Using the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
- Bring the cream to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 5 minutes, whisking frequently. The sauce should begin to thicken slightly.
- Stir in the basil pesto until completely incorporated.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Taste the sauce and add up to 1/2 teaspoon salt, if needed.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it in the creamy pesto sauce.
- Add the cooked penne pasta and gently toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
- If the sauce becomes thicker than you'd like, add a small splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and basil pesto, if desired.
Tips for the Best Chicken Pesto Pasta
Use freshly grated Parmesan. Freshly grated Parmesan melts much more smoothly into cream sauces than pre-shredded cheese.
Don’t boil the cream sauce. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer. High heat can cause cream sauces to separate.
Wait to adjust the salt. Parmesan and pesto both contain salt, so taste the finished sauce before adding additional salt.
Cut the chicken evenly. Keeping the chicken pieces roughly the same size helps them cook at the same rate.
Save some pasta water. A splash of starchy pasta water is an easy way to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
What to Serve with Chicken Pesto Pasta
This creamy pasta is filling enough to serve on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with:
- Garlic bread or toasted Italian bread
- A simple side salad
- Roasted broccoli
- Roasted asparagus
- Green beans
- Caesar salad
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover chicken pesto pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
The sauce will thicken as it sits. When reheating, add a small splash of heavy cream or milk and gently warm the pasta until creamy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of pesto should I use?
A prepared basil pesto works great for this recipe. You can use your favorite refrigerated or jarred pesto or homemade basil pesto.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely. Penne works especially well because it holds onto the creamy sauce, but rigatoni, farfalle, rotini, or fettuccine would also work.
Why is my pesto pasta sauce too thick?
The Parmesan and cream will continue to thicken as the pasta sits. Add a splash of reserved pasta water, heavy cream, or milk and stir until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes! Spinach, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes would all be delicious additions to this chicken pesto pasta.
An Easy Pasta Dinner for Any Night
This Basil Pesto Pasta is one of those simple dinners that comes together quickly but still has so much flavor. With tender chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, fresh garlic, and basil pesto tossed with penne pasta, every bite is rich, creamy, and delicious.
Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or just another way to use your favorite pesto, this pasta is one to keep in your recipe rotation. Serve it with a simple salad or some warm garlic bread, add a little extra Parmesan on top, and enjoy!