Chicken Pesto Pasta is a quick, easy and creamy pasta loaded with juicy chicken and tender asparagus!

We love creamy Alfredo pastas like our Chicken Alfredo or Creamy Shrimp Pasta. Pesto pasta takes a cream sauce to the next level!

Pesto pasta with chicken and asparagus in pan with mixing spoon

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Chicken Pesto Pasta!

This Chicken Asparagus Pesto Pasta was shared by one of our readers, Katie N., and it was love at first bite – an instant hit! You won’t believe how easy it is with a very short list of ingredients. All you need is heavy whipping cream and basil pesto for the sauce. The chicken, asparagus and sauce are all cooked in one skillet and it doesn’t get any easier. Thank you Katie for generously sharing your amazing recipe with all of us!

Chicken Pesto Pasta ingredients with basil pesto, asparagus, heavy whipping cream, fettuccine noodles and chicken breast

What is Pesto Sauce?

Pesto is a creamy blended bright green sauce originally from Italy. The ingredients in a good pesto are typically: basil, nuts (often pine nuts), parmesan, garlic and olive oil. Click here for our best homemade pesto recipe. Adding pesto to the cream sauce adds amazing flavor.

If you’re looking for a good store-bought pesto, our favorite is the Kirkland signature pesto from Costco. Whether you make or buy pesto, you can use the rest to make chicken pesto roll-ups, or freeze portions to make pesto pasta another day.

What kind of pasta is best for creamy pasta?

You can use your favorite pasta which is what we love about this recipe. We use what we have on hand but these are pasta varieties that work well with cream sauce pastas:

  • Fettuccini noodles
  • Linguine pasta
  • Spaghetti
  • Penne pasta
  • Pappardelle
  • Rigatoni

Use Fettuccini noodles in creamy sauce

What Other Vegetables Can I use in Pesto Pasta?

You can omit the asparagus altogether and the recipe will still work well, or try substituting with these healthy vegetables to make it a meal:

  • Broccoli Florets
  • Snap Peas
  • Blanched green beans
  • Frozen peas (or add cooked peas at the end)
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes (added at the end)

Asparagus vegetables in chicken pesto pasta

Can Creamy Pasta be Reheated?

The general rule of thumb for reheating a creamy sauce is LOW and SLOW. Warm the pasta on low heat, stirring often or in short intervals in the microwave. If you overheat, the cream can separate and seem oily. To make the sauce creamier, add a splash of water, milk, half and half or cream before heating.

More 30 Minute Meals to Try:

Watch Natasha Make Pesto Pasta:

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Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Chicken Pesto Pasta

4.99 from 117 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
chicken pesto pasta in creamy sauce
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner loaded with juicy chicken and tender asparagus!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 people
  • 1 lb chicken breasts, trimmed
  • 1 tsp salt, (divided)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 2" pieces
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 4 Tbsp pesto sauce
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz fettuccini pasta, (or linguine)

Instructions

  • Cook pasta in a pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions to your desired doneness. While pasta is cooking, proceed with the recipe then add drained cooked pasta to the sauce in step 5.
  • Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise and season all sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat with 2 Tbsp olive oil. When oil is hot, add chicken in a single layer and saute until fully cooked through (3 min per side). Remove from pan and rest 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized strips.
  • Add 2 Tbsp olive oil to the same pan with asparagus pieces. Sautee stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes or until crisp tender.
  • Add 2 cups heavy whipping cream, bring to a simmer and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 4 Tbsp pesto then add chicken breasts and cook 2 minutes. Season sauce with 1/2 tsp salt or to taste.
  • Add cooked pasta, stirring to coat noodles in sauce. Remove form heat and serve right away. 

Nutrition Per Serving

535kcal Calories34g Carbs20g Protein35g Fat15g Saturated Fat154mg Cholesterol459mg Sodium472mg Potassium2g Fiber2g Sugar1500IU Vitamin A4.2mg Vitamin C82mg Calcium2.3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Amount per Serving
Calories
535
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
35
g
54
%
Saturated Fat
 
15
g
94
%
Cholesterol
 
154
mg
51
%
Sodium
 
459
mg
20
%
Potassium
 
472
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
 
34
g
11
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
20
g
40
%
Vitamin A
 
1500
IU
30
%
Vitamin C
 
4.2
mg
5
%
Calcium
 
82
mg
8
%
Iron
 
2.3
mg
13
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: chicken pesto pasta, pesto pasta
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 535

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Amber Cullen
    January 3, 2024

    This was way better than any restaurant quality food! Absolutely delicious- everything comes together quickly and I could eat the whole pan! Make this!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 3, 2024

      That’s great to hear, Amber! Thank you.

      Reply

  • Bonnie Monzel
    October 16, 2023

    We loved this recipe! Super easy and tasty! We used mushrooms and spinach instead. A couple suggestions: adding more than 4 tablespoons of pesto (we used about 8 tablespoons) and we had to cook the heavy cream almost 10 minutes instead of the 3 minutes the recipe suggests in order to make it a sauce.

    Reply

  • Ja'el K.
    September 7, 2023

    So incredibly simple and Very Very Delish!! I personally am a huge garlic fan so I did add some garlic powder to the sauce. Definitely will be making this frequently! Thanks for another awesome recipe Natasha!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 7, 2023

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Ja’el!

      Reply

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