Chicken Pesto Pasta (VIDEO)

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!

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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!

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

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)

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:

• Shrimp Fried Rice – easy peasy and great for meal prep!
• Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Asparagus – light and flavorful
• Chicken Stir Fry – so saucy and comes together quickly
• Beef Chili – hearty, beefy and reheats so well
• Chicken Fried Rice – genius way to use leftovers

Watch Natasha Make Pesto Pasta:

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Chicken Pesto Pasta

4.99 from 122 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner loaded with juicy chicken and tender asparagus!

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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

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)

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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

• Full Nutrition Label
• Nutrition Disclosure

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