The Simple Dinner Edit Now Available
The Simple Dinner Edit Now Available
The Simple Dinner Edit Now Available
The Simple Dinner Edit Now Available
The Simple Dinner Edit Now Available
The Simple Dinner Edit Now Available
Simple Home Edit Logo

10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe

The lengthiest part of this dish is waiting for the water to boil for your pasta! This 10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is super quick to cook and prepare, making it the ultimate busy weeknight meal. Enjoy perfectly cooked pasta and juicy chicken breast covered in a creamy pesto sauce, finished with lashings of parmesan – and optional chilli if you want a little heat. This is a perfect dish for using up any vegetables you have lying around, whether fresh or frozen. I’ve used frozen broccoli and peas here, but go ahead and try other vegetables such as zucchini (courgette), mushrooms, shredded kale, baby spinach or cherry tomatoes.

Can you make 10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta ahead of time?

Yes, refrigerate cooked Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.

Is 10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta suitable for leftovers?

Yes, Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.

10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe

10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Author: Nicole
5 from 3 votes
“Very simple and delicious. I’ve made it three times already.”
Share Print
Add to Shopping List
This 10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta recipe is super quick to prep and cook, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal in a hurry.
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 8 minutes
Total 13 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 500 g (1 lb) spiral or penne pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 300 g (10½ oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast, finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
  • 160 g (⅔ cup) pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 250 ml (1 cup) thickened (heavy) cream
  • 375 g (2½ cups) fresh or frozen vegetables (see note 1)
  • 50 g (½ cup) freshly grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • 1 fresh chilli, to serve (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta – Cook the pasta as per the packet instructions, less 1 minute (the pasta will finish cooking when it’s combined with the sauce).
  • Start cooking the chicken – Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat.
  • Add the chicken and cook for 1–2 minutes until it is sealed (it will still be uncooked in the centre).
  • Add the remaining ingredients – Add the garlic and continue stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the pesto, cream and vegetables. Place the lid on and cook for 2–4 minutes for fresh vegetables or 4–6 minutes for frozen vegetables.
  • Combine the pasta and sauce – Remove from the heat, stir through the cooked pasta and parmesan, then season with salt to taste.
  • Serve – Serve sprinkled with extra parmesan and fresh chilli (if using).

Nutrition information

Nutrition Facts
10 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
Amount per Serving
Calories
1081
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
50
g
77
%
Saturated Fat
 
20
g
125
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
11
g
Cholesterol
 
133
mg
44
%
Sodium
 
1045
mg
45
%
Potassium
 
885
mg
25
%
Carbohydrates
 
114
g
38
%
Fiber
 
9
g
38
%
Sugar
 
7
g
8
%
Protein
 
43
g
86
%
Vitamin A
 
6729
IU
135
%
Vitamin C
 
28
mg
34
%
Calcium
 
277
mg
28
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes

Recipe notes

Note 1 – This recipe lends itself to many vegetable variations, perfect to use up what is left in your crisper drawer. Pictured are frozen broccoli and peas. Other recommended vegetables are zucchini (courgette), shredded kale or baby spinach, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, broccolini (tenderstem broccoli), capsicum (bell pepper) or sliced green beans.

MAKE AHEAD

Refrigerate cooked Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.

LEFTOVERS

Refrigerate cooked Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
Course chicken, chicken pasta, chicken pesto pasta, entrée, Main Course, pasta
Cuisine Italian

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you for this one! I’ve made chicken pesto pasta at least once a fortnight for the last 2-3 years with almost exactly the same ingredients, but following your recipe and method changed it from a “pretty decent” family friendly dinner to absolutely delicious! I snuck some fresh basil on top of the grownups dishes (just bc we have so much of it atm), used frozen peas, and gave the kids half a corn cob each as a side and it was a HIT!

    • Hi Susan, this is absolutely lovely feedback and thanks so much for sharing!! Thanks also for the rating. Nic x

  2. 5 stars
    Very simple and delicious. I’ve made it three times already. Once, we had the creamy chicken pesto with rice instead of pasta and it was really good.

  3. 5 stars
    This one is so fast and a flavour winner. I use frozen broccoli, my son requests this on regular rotation.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes 

For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.