There's nothing quite like a comforting plate of creamy chicken pesto pasta to bring warmth to your dinner table. This dish boasts tender chicken, perfectly al dente pasta, and a luscious pesto-infused cream sauce that's bursting with flavor. It's the perfect meal to satisfy cravings without hours of effort in the kitchen.
I discovered this recipe while experimenting with ways to elevate weeknight dinners, and it quickly became a family favorite. With simple ingredients and a fuss-free method, it’s a winner you'll want to add to your regular rotation. Let’s dive into what makes this dish so irresistible.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Get ready to savor a pasta dish that’s as quick and easy as it is utterly indulgent. Creamy chicken pesto pasta is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it an instant hit with anyone who takes a bite.
First and foremost, this recipe is incredibly quick and convenient. In just under 30 minutes, you can have a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal on the table, even on your busiest evenings.
It's also an ideal option for meal prep. The flavors deepen over time, so leftovers taste just as good—if not better—the next day. Perfect for lunchboxes or reheated family dinners.
This dish is wonderfully versatile, too. You can swap out proteins, adjust the veggies, or even use different pasta shapes to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.
Finally, the flavor combination is nothing short of amazing. The herbaceous punch of pesto, the creaminess of the sauce, and the hearty bites of chicken create a harmony of tastes that will have you going back for seconds.
Ingredients Notes

The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward, wholesome ingredients. Let’s break down the key players and how they contribute to this dish’s deliciousness.
Pasta: Choose a sturdy shape like penne, farfalle, or fusilli. These options have ridges or grooves that grip onto the creamy pesto sauce, ensuring every bite is flavorful. Be sure to cook the pasta to al dente for the best texture.
Chicken: For the protein, use boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs. Both work beautifully, but thighs are especially tender and forgiving if slightly overcooked. Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
Pesto: Use a high-quality basil pesto, either store-bought or homemade. It’s the star of the sauce, lending bold, aromatic flavor. A good pesto will include fresh basil, garlic, and a blend of nuts and cheese for richness.
Cream: The sauce's luscious texture comes from heavy cream. It balances the brightness of the pesto, creating a velvety base that coats the pasta and chicken perfectly.
Parmesan Cheese: A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan adds salty, nutty depth to the dish. It also thickens the sauce slightly as it melts in.
Garlic and Onion: These aromatics form the flavor foundation of the sauce. Their subtle sweetness complements the bold pesto, rounding out the dish.
For equipment, a large skillet and a pot for boiling pasta are all you need—simple and hassle-free.
How To Make This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creating this creamy chicken pesto pasta is easier than you might think. Follow these steps, and you’ll have dinner ready in no time.
Start by cooking the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve about a cup of the starchy cooking water before draining. This will help adjust the sauce later if needed.
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and a pinch of dried Italian herbs. Sauté the chicken in the skillet until golden and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if necessary, and sauté the onion until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet for extra flavor. Let the cream come to a gentle simmer before stirring in the pesto and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it feels too thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and chopped fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor.
Storage Options
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, creamy chicken pesto pasta stores beautifully. Let the dish cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, transfer a portion to a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore the sauce’s silky texture. Stir gently until warmed through.
While freezing is possible, the cream sauce may separate upon thawing. If you do freeze it, store the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and reheat slowly, stirring in extra cream to bring it back to life.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is endlessly adaptable, so feel free to make it your own! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Swap the chicken for shrimp or salmon for a seafood twist. Cook the protein separately and toss it in at the end to prevent overcooking.
Add vegetables for extra nutrition and color. Cherry tomatoes, spinach, or sautéed mushrooms are excellent additions that complement the pesto sauce beautifully.
Try using a different type of pesto. Sun-dried tomato or arugula pesto offers a fresh take on this classic dish.
For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative. The sauce will be slightly less rich but still delicious.
Experiment with other types of cheese. Pecorino Romano or Gruyere can provide a unique flavor twist if Parmesan isn’t available.
No matter how you customize it, this creamy chicken pesto pasta is a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again. Enjoy!
PrintCreamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
Savor the deliciousness of creamy chicken pesto pasta! This easy recipe combines tender chicken, fresh basil pesto, and creamy sauce for a perfect dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 300g penne or any pasta of choice
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup basil pesto
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream and pesto. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the sauce until well coated.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and a sprinkle of chili flakes if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with a dairy-free option for a lighter version.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
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