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EASY PESTO CHICKEN PASTA

March 28, 2023 by Liz Leave a Comment

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This easy pesto chicken pasta recipe is a perfect choice for a quick and tasty weeknight dinner that the whole family will love. Made in under 30 minutes, it combines tender chicken with sweet peppers and a creamy pesto sauce for a satisfying meal that’s also budget-friendly. 

Pesto pasta with chicken served

Why Should You Cook This?

Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this is the perfect dish for busy weeknights or a quick weekend lunch. Using ready cooked or leftover chicken also saves you precious time. 

Family-Friendly Flavour: If you’re looking for a delicious, family-friendly dinner option, this pesto chicken pasta is sure to popular, even with picky eaters.

Budget-Friendly: With simple, affordable ingredients, this recipe is an economical way to enjoy a delicious meal that feels indulgent without breaking the bank.

Variations

There are a number of ways to switch up this recipe. Here are some ideas for you to try:

Swap the Protein: Instead of chicken, try using cooked shrimp. Or if you’re vegetarian, add some chickpeas, lentils or canned beans to boost your protein.

Go Vegan: Skip the chicken and add more veggies, like zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes. Replace the cream with a plant-based cream and the chicken stock with vegetable stock.

Use a Different Pesto: I’ve used red pepper pesto as it’s the favourite in our house. It’s also delicious with green pesto or sun dried tomato pesto.

Add Cheese for Creaminess: Mix in a handful of grated Parmesan, mozzarella, or a dollop of ricotta to make it extra creamy and cheesy without additional cream. This one is not for those counting calories!

Spice it Up: Add a kick of spice with crushed red pepper flakes or a chopped fresh chilli in the sauce.

FAQs

Why is my pasta sticky?

If pasta is sticking together it is usually because it has been overcooked. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packet and always use a timer. Your pan also needs to be big enough to allow the pasta to circulate in the water while cooking.

How long does pesto last in the fridge?

An opened jar of pesto will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. To store pesto for longer, try freezing portions in an ice cube tray.

Ingredients

Pesto pasta ingredients

Pasta – you can use any pasta you like. Try using wholewheat pasta for extra fibre

Olive Oil – I use extra virgin olive oil but vegetable or sunflower is also fine

Cooked chicken – Use leftover chicken or ready cooked from the grocery store

Peppers – you can use red, orange or yellow peppers which add a lovely sweetness to this dish

Pesto – use your favourite

Garlic – fresh is better than granules for this recipe

Lemon – fresh lemon juice gives the dish a tangy zing

Herbs – this dish is lifted with the addition of fresh herbs. I’ve used fresh parsley here but you could use basil or thyme instead

Cream – single is fine

Stock – you can use chicken or vegetable stock

How to Make Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Pesto pasta: pasta in a saucepan
  1. Cook the pasta: bring a pan of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside until needed.
Sliced peppers in a frying pan with oil
  1. Sauté the peppers: in a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over a low heat. Add the sliced peppers and sauté, stirring occasionally, until very soft (10 – 15 minutes).
Peppers, pesto and garlic in a frying pan
  1. Incorporate the pesto and garlic: add the pesto and crushed garlic and heat while stirring for 1 minute.
Pesto pasta sauce with cream and stock added
  1. Stir in the cream and stock: add the cream and chicken stock to the pan and stir while heating gently for 2 minutes.
pesto pasta sauce with pasta parsley and chicken added
  1. Finish with the final ingredients: add the cooked chicken, parsley, cooked pasta and lemon juice. Stir over the heat for 1 minute.
pesto pasta with chicken - finished dish on a plate
  1. Serve: plate the pasta and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!

Storage Instructions

Refrigeration: Allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: This dish does not freeze well.

Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring in a splash of cream, water or stock to keep the sauce creamy. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to prevent drying. It’s great eaten cold the next day too!

Pesto pasta chicken

Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
  • 160 g cooked chicken
  • 2 red, yellow or orange peppers, sliced thinly
  • 1 small jar red pesto
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 60 ml single cream
  • 150 ml chicken stock

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta: bring a pan of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside until needed.
  • Sauté the peppers: in a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over a low heat. Add the sliced peppers and sauté, stirring occasionally, until very soft (around 10-15 minutes).
  • Incorporate the pesto and garlic: add the pesto and crushed garlic and heat while stirring for 1 minute.
  • Stir in the cream and stock: add the single cream and chicken stock to the pan and heat gently while stirring for 2 minutes.
  • Finish with the final ingredients: add the cooked chicken, parsley, cooked pasta and lemon juice. Stir over the low heat for 1 minute.
  • Serve: plate the pasta and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

Storage Instructions

Refrigeration: Allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: This dish does not freeze well.
Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring in a splash of cream, water or stock to keep the sauce creamy. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to prevent drying. It’s great eaten cold the next day too!
Keyword Chicken, Easy, pasta, quick

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Filed Under: Chicken, Main Dishes, Mediterranean Diet, Pasta, Quick and Easy, Recipes Tagged With: easy, pasta, pesto, quick

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Hi! I’m Liz. Here you’ll find easy recipes and information to help you feed your family nourishing and tasty meals.
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