This Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a creamy, quick, and flavorful dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. With perfectly seared chicken breasts, roasted tomatoes, and a rich pesto cream sauce, this dish is a great choice for weeknight meals or even special occasions. It’s simple, packed with flavor, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 medium chicken breasts

• 8 oz pasta (bow-tie, penne, fusilli, or your preferred type)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• 10 oz grape tomatoes

• ½ medium onion, chopped

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ tsp salt

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• ½ cup basil pesto

• ½ cup heavy whipping cream

• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

• ½ tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

1. Roast the Tomatoes:

   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the grape tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the tomatoes for about 20 minutes until blistered.

2. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

   • In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5 minutes on each side, or until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Sauté the Onion and Garlic:

   • In the same skillet, cook the chopped onion until slightly caramelized. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce:

   • Add the pesto to the skillet and stir to combine with the onions. Pour in the heavy cream, stir gently, and bring to a simmer.

5. Combine Everything:

   • Add the cooked pasta and roasted tomatoes to the skillet, reheating everything for a couple of minutes. Slice the cooked chicken and add it to the pan, tossing everything together.

6. Serve:

   • Serve immediately, topped with grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red chili flakes, if desired.

Nutrients (approximate per serving)

• Calories: 733

• Carbohydrates: 58g

• Protein: 57g

• Fat: 31g

  • Saturated Fat: 4g

• Cholesterol: 365mg

• Sodium: 332mg

• Potassium: 1164mg

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugar: 2g

• Vitamin A: 6426 IU

• Vitamin C: 20mg

• Calcium: 243mg

• Iron: 4mg

The Richness of the Pesto Cream Sauce

The star of this dish is undoubtedly the creamy pesto sauce. Basil pesto, with its vibrant and aromatic blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan, pairs beautifully with the richness of heavy cream. The creaminess of the sauce balances the bold, herby flavors of the pesto, creating a luscious coating that wraps around the pasta, chicken, and roasted tomatoes. The addition of Parmesan adds a subtle salty depth, and the red chili flakes (if used) introduce a touch of heat, making the sauce multifaceted and flavorful. The creamy pesto sauce is both comforting and indulgent, while still being light enough to feel fresh.

The Perfectly Seared Chicken Breasts

To complement the rich pesto cream sauce, seared chicken breasts are seasoned simply with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. The result is juicy, tender chicken with a lightly crispy exterior that adds a satisfying texture to the dish. Cooking the chicken breasts over medium heat ensures they are golden brown on the outside while remaining moist and tender on the inside. Once the chicken is cooked, it is sliced and added to the pasta, giving the dish a hearty, protein-packed element that makes it both filling and satisfying.

Roasted Tomatoes: Sweet and Juicy

Roasting the grape tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness and intensifies their flavor, adding a burst of juicy goodness to the dish. The tomatoes are roasted in olive oil, salt, and pepper until they blister and caramelize, which enhances their natural sweetness and creates a tender texture that pairs wonderfully with the creamy pesto sauce. Roasting also helps the tomatoes retain their shape, so they remain in juicy bursts when mixed with the pasta and sauce. This addition of roasted tomatoes provides a beautiful contrast to the creamy elements of the dish, offering both freshness and depth of flavor.

Choosing the Right Pasta

While the recipe suggests using bow-tie, penne, or fusilli, any pasta shape can work well with this creamy pesto sauce. Short pasta shapes like penne and fusilli hold the sauce well, while the bow-tie pasta (also known as farfalle) adds a fun, playful touch to the dish. The key is to choose a pasta that will allow the sauce to cling to it, ensuring that each bite is flavorful and satisfying. The texture of the pasta plays an important role in this dish, as it helps absorb the creamy pesto sauce, enhancing the overall taste and making every bite delicious.

How to Make Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Making this dish is incredibly simple and quick. Here’s how you can prepare it in just 30 minutes:

1. Roast the Tomatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the grape tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet, then roast for 20 minutes until blistered and caramelized.

2. Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the chicken breasts for 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside to rest.

3. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, cook the chopped onion until slightly caramelized. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce: Stir in the basil pesto and mix well with the onions. Add the heavy cream, bring the mixture to a simmer, and let it cook for a couple of minutes.

5. Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta and roasted tomatoes to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat in the creamy pesto sauce. Slice the cooked chicken and add it to the pan, mixing it with the pasta.

6. Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red chili flakes for extra heat, if desired.

Nutritional Benefits of Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Each serving of Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta provides approximately 733 calories, making it a hearty yet balanced meal. With 57 grams of protein, this dish offers a significant protein boost, supporting muscle growth and recovery. The 31 grams of fat include healthy unsaturated fats from the olive oil and pesto, which contribute to heart health. The dish also contains 58 grams of carbohydrates, providing a steady source of energy, and 4 grams of fiber, which supports digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer. Additionally, the meal provides key vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, and iron, making it a well-rounded and nutritious choice.

Serving Suggestions

While Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta is delicious on its own, it pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes to complete the meal. Consider serving it with a simple side salad, such as arugula and cherry tomatoes with a light balsamic vinaigrette, to add a refreshing contrast to the creamy pasta. Roasted vegetables, like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus, would also complement the richness of the pesto cream sauce. If you’re in the mood for something extra indulgent, serve the pasta with garlic bread or a slice of crusty baguette to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Conclusion

Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta is the perfect dinner option when you’re short on time but still want a flavorful and satisfying meal. With its creamy pesto sauce, perfectly seared chicken, roasted tomatoes, and al dente pasta, this dish strikes the perfect balance of freshness, richness, and comfort. It’s simple to make, packed with protein and vitamins, and customizable to suit your preferences. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this pasta is sure to be a hit with family and friends alike.