If you’re craving a meal that’s lively, comforting, and bursting with summer flavor, look no further than this Pesto Pasta with Chicken. It’s a vibrant, quick-fix dinner that combines tender chicken, aromatic pesto, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and perfectly cooked bow tie pasta for a supper that’s not just easy, but impossibly delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 30-Minute Wonder: You can get this Pesto Pasta with Chicken on the table in half an hour—hello, weeknight hero!
- Incredible Flavor Burst: Pesto and sun-dried tomatoes bring brightness and depth, while juicy chicken adds satisfying protein in every bite.
- Simple, Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen, with no hard-to-find specialty items required.
- Family-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a universally loved combination—creamy, herby, just the right touch of heat—and even picky eaters can’t resist!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Pesto Pasta with Chicken so special? It’s all about a handful of carefully chosen ingredients that sing together. Each one plays a starring role, providing color, flavor, or texture—so don’t skip any of the essentials!
- Bow Tie Pasta: These delightful little shapes (also called farfalle) scoop up sauce beautifully and make every forkful extra fun.
- Olive Oil: Just a splash is all you need to sauté garlic and lock in savory, Mediterranean undertones.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic builds a rich, fragrant base that perfumes the whole dish.
- Chicken Breasts: Skinless, boneless, and cut into bite-sized pieces for speedy, even cooking—and maximum tenderness.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Add a gentle kick of heat; adjust to taste for as much (or little) zing as your heart desires.
- Pesto Sauce: The showstopper! Bright, herbal flavor from basil, nuts, parmesan, and olive oil. Go homemade or use a good-quality jar from the store.
- Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Their intense sweetness and chewy texture offer a delicious counterpoint to the creamy pesto and juicy chicken.
Variations
This Pesto Pasta with Chicken is endlessly adaptable, depending on what you love or have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative—there’s plenty of wiggle room for substitutions or add-ins to suit your mood or dietary needs!
- Swap the Protein: Sub in cooked shrimp, rotisserie chicken, or even thinly sliced Italian sausage for a tasty twist.
- Make It Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus.
- Try a Different Pasta Shape: Penne, fusilli, or shells will all capture that gorgeous pesto just as well as bow ties.
- Go Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free pesto and omit any cheese when serving—still ultra fresh and satisfying!
How to Make Pesto Pasta with Chicken
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a generous pot of salted water to a boil and toss in your bow tie pasta. Stir occasionally and cook until perfectly al dente—usually around 8 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta well but don’t rinse; you want to keep those surfaces starchy so the pesto clings nicely later on.
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken and Garlic
In a spacious skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and let it soften and become fragrant, just a minute or so—don’t let it brown. Then add the chicken pieces, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes, and cook until the chicken is golden and cooked through, stirring occasionally so each piece develops a little lovely caramelization.
Step 3: Assemble Everything
Transfer the drained pasta to a big serving bowl. Add the cooked chicken and its garlicky juices from the pan, then spoon in the pesto sauce and sun-dried tomatoes. Using tongs or two big spoons, toss everything together until every piece of pasta is slicked with that emerald sauce and flecked with tomatoes and chicken.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Dish up your Pesto Pasta with Chicken right away while it’s still warm and glossy. Have some extra parmesan, a handful of basil leaves, or a pinch of fresh black pepper on hand for serving if you want to take things over the top. The aroma alone will have everyone rushing to the table!
Pro Tips for Making Pesto Pasta with Chicken
- Pasta Perfection: Salt your cooking water liberally—the pasta should taste almost like the sea for the most flavorful base.
- Juiciest Chicken: Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken; this ensures gorgeous browning and keeps the pieces tender, not steamed.
- Vibrant Pesto: Add the pesto off the heat to preserve its bright color and herby aroma—direct high heat can dull its flavor and hue.
- Balanced Heat: For those who are spice-shy, start with just a pinch of red pepper and adjust at the end—it’s easier to add than take away!
How to Serve Pesto Pasta with Chicken
Garnishes
For that chef’s kiss finish, sprinkle your Pesto Pasta with Chicken with shaved parmesan, torn fresh basil, or even toasted pine nuts if you’re feeling fancy. A twist of black pepper or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil can make the colors pop and the dish even more inviting.
Side Dishes
This pasta is a star on its own, but it shines extra bright with a crisp green salad, a loaf of crusty bread, or simple steamed veggies like broccolini or green beans. For a real Italian trattoria vibe, set out some olives or a platter of marinated artichokes on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Pesto Pasta with Chicken family-style in a big, colorful bowl, or plate it individually with swirls of pasta topped with spiraled chicken and sun-dried tomatoes. For a playful appetizer, pile small portions into little ramekins or serve on crostini for a stunning handheld bite at parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Pesto Pasta with Chicken keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Give it a good toss before serving to redistribute all that tasty pesto and juicy chicken.
Freezing
While pasta dishes are best freshly made, you can freeze this recipe if needed. Let it cool completely, portion, and store in freezer-safe containers for up to two months. Just know that the pasta may soften a bit upon reheating, but the flavor remains spot-on.
Reheating
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to bring back moisture and keep the sauce glossy. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to avoid overcooking the chicken.
FAQs
-
Can I use store-bought pesto for Pesto Pasta with Chicken?
Absolutely! Good-quality store-bought pesto works perfectly and makes this dinner even quicker. If you have homemade pesto, though, by all means use it for a fresh basil boost.
-
What’s the best way to ensure the chicken stays juicy?
Cut the chicken into even-sized pieces and avoid overcooking—just sauté until golden and no longer pink inside. Using a hot pan and not overcrowding it also helps to achieve a perfect sear and seal in juices.
-
Can I make Pesto Pasta with Chicken ahead for meal prep?
Yes! This recipe holds up well in the fridge, making it a great meal-prep option. For best texture, store the pasta and chicken with the pesto separately and combine them when you’re ready to eat if possible.
-
Do I have to use bow tie pasta?
Nope! While bow ties are fun and attractive, any short pasta shape that holds sauce—like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni—will work beautifully in your Pesto Pasta with Chicken.
Final Thoughts
This Pesto Pasta with Chicken is the kind of recipe you’ll reach for again and again—so easy, so full of sunshine and flavor, and always a hit with friends and family. Give it a try this week and watch your dinner table fill with happy faces and empty plates!
Print
Pesto Pasta with Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
This Pesto Pasta with Chicken recipe is a delightful combination of tender chicken, flavorful pesto sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes tossed with perfectly cooked bow tie pasta. It’s a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 (16 ounce) package bow tie pasta
For the Chicken:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and cut into strips
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic until tender. Stir in chicken and season with red pepper flakes. Cook until chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed chicken, pesto sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 328
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 154mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
