This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is the perfect quick and comforting dinner for busy weeknights. Tender chicken and pasta are coated in a rich, creamy pesto sauce that's packed with flavour and comes together in under 20 minutes and only 5 ingredients!
If you're stuck for quick dinner ideas, this Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is the perfect midweek meal. It comes together in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy nights when you still want something delicious and satisfying. You can use store-bought pesto for convenience, or if you have plenty of fresh basil on hand, try making my Homemade Cashew Pesto, for an extra burst of flavour.
Ingredient notes:
- Fresh fettucine: Its soft, silky texture cooks in just a few minutes and holds onto sauces beautifully, making every bite rich and satisfying.
- Pesto: Whether you use store-bought pesto or make your own at home, it brings a rich, savoury taste that pairs perfectly with pasta and chicken.
- Smoked chicken: The smoked chicken breast adds to the flavour, but you can also use cooked chicken breast.
Note: Scroll to the recipe card for the ingredients, quantities and the full method.
Step by step instructions:
To make this recipe you just just heat up the smoked chicken in a little olive oil. Then you stir in the pesto and cream, once it is all combined add the cooked fettuccine and stir it all together.
You want all of the pasta to be covered in sauce, if the sauce seems too thick then add some of the cooking water (reserved from the pasta).
I like to serve my creamy chicken pesto pasta with loads of fresh parmesan cheese grated on top. It is also nice to garnish with some fresh basil if you have it on hand.
You should add these ingredients to your next grocery shopping list and make this easy recipe for your family this week. I'm sure they will love it as much as mine does. For another super easy and delicious chicken pasta, be sure to check out our Marry Me Chicken Penne Pasta.
Recipe FAQs:
Absolutely, light cream is a great option if you want a sauce that's creamy and comforting without feeling too heavy.
You can, but fresh fettuccine has a softer, silkier texture than dried pasta, and it also cooks much faster for the busy weeknight dinners.
Storage:
Store any leftover Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the stovetop or microwave until piping hot. If the pasta needs more liquid add a splash of water before heating.
Top tips:
You may need to add some of the pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce after you add the fettuccine.
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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
You can make this recipe with store-bought pesto or my homemade cashew pesto
Ingredients
- 400g fettuccine (14oz)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 smoked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 cup cream
- 100g cup pesto (3.5oz)
- Parmesan to serve
- Fresh basil to garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and add the fettuccine. Cook according to packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large frypan on the stovetop and add olive oil. Turn down to low heat then add the chicken, once it is warmed through add the cream and pesto.
- Stir to combine until sauce is bubbling. Turn off the heat then drop in the cooked fettuccine. Use tongs to cover all of the pasta in sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve in bowls with plenty of freshly grated parmesan and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- You may need to add some of the pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce after you add the fettuccine.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 577Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 202mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 20g
Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.
Thank you for checking out this recipe. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Vanya
June says
Your recipes look easy and delicious and I will be trying more now!
VJ cooks says
Thank you so much!
Kimberly says
Could you use light cream VJ?
VJ cooks says
Yes you can.
Manu says
Another quick and simple easy to follow recipe that was so yum!
Tiina King says
Yum! Going to cook it this week!
I have creme fraise and mascarpone to use up. Could I substitute one of these for the cream? And what is the difference between them?
VJ cooks says
Creme fraiche is thicker than regular cream due to a higher fat content. It would be totally fine to use this in place of cream.