Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta (One Pot, Creamy 30-Minute Dinner Recipe)
Basil pesto chicken pasta is one of the easiest and most flavorful dinners you can make, and this version is made in just one pot for simple cleanup. Tender chicken, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and basil pesto come together in a creamy, delicious sauce that tastes like a restaurant-quality meal but is quick enough for busy weeknights.
This easy basil pesto chicken pasta recipe is perfect for families who need a fast dinner that everyone will love. The bright, fresh flavor of basil pesto coats every bite of pasta and chicken, while parmesan cheese adds a rich and creamy finish.
One of the best things about this pesto chicken pasta is how simple it is to prepare. With just a handful of ingredients and one pot, you can have a comforting, satisfying meal on the table in about 30 minutes.
Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner, an easy one pot meal, or a new way to use basil pesto, this creamy pesto chicken pasta is a recipe you will come back to again and again.
This easy Basil Pesto chicken Pasta is perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or even meal prep for the week. The leftovers reheat beautifully, making it a great option for lunch the next day. Just add a little milk when reheating.
If you love easy pasta dinners, flavorful chicken recipes, and meals that come together quickly with simple ingredients, this basil pesto chicken pasta recipe is one you will want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love this One Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta:
- It is made in one pot for easy cleanup
- Fewer dishes to wash-always love fewer dishes
- Perfect for busy nights
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Simple ingredients
- Family-friendly dinner
- Creamy, flavorful, and satisfying
What To Serve With Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta:
This dish goes perfectly with:
- garlic bread-see our favorite recipe for Easy Garlic Bread
- garden salad
- Caesar salad-try our Easy Caesar Dressing
- roasted vegetables
- bread sticks
- in a time crunch? serve alone. It already has sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
FAQs:
What pasta works best with pesto chicken pasta?
Penne, rotini and bow tie pasta, all work well with pesto sauce. Short pasta shapes like penne or rotini hold the sauce especially well. I used bow tie because I liked the look best but, any of the other short pastas are great.
Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes! I use store-bought pesto- it works perfectly in this recipe because I wanted a quick weeknight dinner-makes it faster to prepare. I use Kirkland’s brand of basil pesto. Many people also love pesto from the Barilla or Classico brands.
Can I make pesto chicken pasta ahead of time?
Yes. You can make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream, milk, or pasta water to bring the sauce back to life.
Can I add vegetables to pesto chicken pasta?
Absolutely. Popular additions other than the ones I include are:
• cherry tomatoes
• mushrooms
• broccoli
• zucchini
These vegetables add color, flavor, and extra nutrition. This will also add more time to making this meal.
Helpful Items For This Chicken Pasta Dinner:
Helpful Tips For Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta:
- Cook pasta until el dente
- Reserve a little pasta water for the sauce to thin it down, as needed
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese instead of Kraft grated parmesan
- Use a pot to keep it a true one pot recipe-you will use the pot you used to cook the pasta
- Store in fridge up to 3–4 days
- Reheat with milk or cream (or pasta water, if you saved some in the refrigerator)
- Stir to bring sauce back
Variations:
- Make this easy chicken pasta dinner more creamy: replace the milk with heavy cream for a creamier sauce.
- Switch it up: replace the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.
- More Veggies: add mushrooms.
- Want this pesto chicken pasta to be more cheesy?: place the prepared chicken pesto pasta in a baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake until bubbly.
- Want this pesto chicken pasta to be more cheesy?: place the prepared chicken pesto pasta in a baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake until bubbly.
- Add an extra bit of flavor: Top this dish with some bacon crumbles when serving.
Ingredients Needed For One Pan Chicken Pasta:
Bow Tie Pasta
Butter
Garlic
Flour
Milk
Pepper
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Basil Pesto
Rotisserie Chicken (or cooked chicken breasts)
Spinach
Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese
How To Make Pesto Chicken Pasta:
This one pot basil pesto chicken pasta comes together quickly and easily in just one pan (makes for easy clean up), a few simple steps and in about 30 minutes! Make sure you use a deep pot-I use my soup pot to keep this a true one pot dinner. See the link above.
Cook the pasta according to package directions to firm or el dente-mine required 11 minutes. When pasta is ready, drain pasta in a colander and leave the pasta in the colander while you make the sauce.
In the empty pot you just boiled the pasta in, add the butter and begin melting. Stir in the minced garlic and stir until butter is melted.
Add the flour to the butter mixture and mix it in using a whisk.
Add the milk and pepper and whisk to blend the flour mixture into the milk. This will thicken as it simmers and as you whisk continually.
When mixture has combined well and has thickened, add the sun dried tomatoes and basil pesto. Whisk to combine.
Add the chopped chicken and the spinach. Heat through to wilt the spinach.
Then, stir in the drained pasta and freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir to reheat the pasta and melt the cheese.
Serve with extra pepper and parmesan cheese, if desired.
Enjoy this simple one pan meal!
If you tried this recipe, please leave us a comment below. We love to hear from our readers.
Other One Pot Recipes You Will Love: 💕
One Pan Tuscan Tortellini Casserole
One Pot Creamy Chicken Casserole
Other Basil Pesto Recipes You Will Love: 💕
Smoked Gouda Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese
Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta
An easy and flavorful one pan chicken dinner recipe.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bow tie pasta
- 3 tbsps buter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsps flour
- 2 cups milk or more
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
- 1 cup basil pesto
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken cut into bite sized pieces
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Boil pasta according to the package directions. Cook to firm or el dente-mine took 11 minutes.
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Drain pasta into a colander, when it is ready, and leave the pasta in the colander.
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Use the empty pot you just used for the pasta to make the sauce: begin by adding the butter to the pot to start melting.
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Add the minced garlic and finish melting the butter-stir continually over low heat so garlic will not burn.
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When butter has melted, add the flour and whisk it into the melted butter.
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Add the milk and pepper and whisk to mix well and to thicken. Turn up the heat to a low simmer.
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Add sun dried tomatoes and basil pesto. Stir.
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Add the chicken and spinach. Heat through while stirring. The spinach will wilt.
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Add the pasta and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and heat the pasta.
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Serve with extra pepper and parmesan cheese. Enjoy this easy one pan meal!
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Note: If you would like your sauce to be a little thinner, add a little more milk after adding the pasta and the cheese.
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