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This amazing Pesto Chicken Pasta dish comes together in just 30 minutes which makes it perfect for weeknight dinner. A simple recipe for kale pesto is included but you can also use store-bought pesto to make this meal even quicker. Make it gluten free with Chickapea pasta!
This post is kindly sponsored byChickapea. Their amazing gluten-free pasta is made from just 2 ingredients - chickpeas & lentils! Finally an easy delicious way to make all your favorite pasta dishes gluten free.
This post contains affiliate links
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Pasta has always been one of my favorite comfort foods. Growing up how to boil a pot of pasta was the first thing my mom taught me to do in the kitchen.
And suddenly I was in charge of cooking something for my siblings to eat after school. I was super proud about that step into independence.
For a long time afterwards pasta was my go-to quick meal to cook. Although later I learned to add some protein and vegetables to the mix for a little more balanced meal.
However, when I woke up to feeding my body to nourish it - not just to stop it feel hungry, I realized that my beloved white pasta didn't have much to offer in terms of nutrition.
Add to that that I married someone who didn't share my love for pasta - he grew up with rice as his staple go-to food. So for a while there pasta rarely happened at our house.
Thankfully, spiralized vegetable noodles become trendy not too long later. And then I also discovered the awesome Chickapea pasta alternative!
With just the same method as regular pasta and even quicker cooking time, I can now enjoy my beloved Italian pasta sauces again. Chickapea pasta is made from just 2 wholesome ingredients - chickpeas and lentils!
So I can feel great feeding myself and my family nourishing noodles. Especially on super busy weeknights nothing beats making quick pasta.
I like to combine it with pesto for healthychicken pesto pasta because pesto already includes a lot of greens and herbs. And I usually have some in the fridge or at least the ingredients to make a super
Simple Kale Pesto
This is a vegetarian/vegan pesto without parmesan cheese. It only includes greens, herbs, salt, garlic, lime juice, oil and almonds.
Process the first 5 ingredients while slowly pouring in the oil (I like virgin avocado or olive oil). If you are using a food processor, you can pour the oil in the feed tube and it will slowly drizzle through the small hole at the bottom.
Add the almonds last and pulse until they are coarsely chopped and incorporated.
Other than kale, spinach and Swiss chard are great greens to use in this pesto. Just be sure to remove hard stems.
What can you do with kale stems?
Don't waste the hard stems of kale or Swiss chard leaves. Use them the next time you make homemade broth (with bones or other vegetable scraps) for a delicious veggie flavor.
How to Make Pesto Pasta
Making chicken pesto pasta is really simple. It's one of my favorite meals to cook when we are really short on time.
If you are not making the simple pesto recipe from above, store-bought pesto works just as well. Get a pot of salted water boiling and cook the pasta until it is just al dente (it's important not to overcook it).
Be sure to reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water. This is my trick for makingcreamypesto chicken pasta without cream.
In a skillet on low heat toss the cooked pasta with the pesto and pasta water. The starchy water helps to turn the pesto into a creamy sauce consistency that perfectly coats and clings to every single noodle.
How to cook chicken breast on the stove
To cook the chicken for thepesto chickenpenne you need a nice and hot skillet. Season the chicken breasts with salt and drizzle a little oil to the skillet before adding the chicken breasts.
I let them cook for about 6-10 minutes per side without moving them around much. You can use that hands-off time to prepare the pesto and pasta as explained above.
Pepper the chicken breasts after flipping. The chicken is done once the internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C (an instant read thermometer is really handy for that).
Next, be sure to let the chicken breasts rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing them up and adding on top of the pesto pasta.
Vegetarian Pesto Pasta Options
You could just omit the chicken and still have a decent protein-filled meal. Chickapea pasta includes 15 grams of protein per 2 ounce serving.
But to make it a little more interesting you could sauté mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus or any other (protein-rich) vegetable that you prefer and toss it with the pesto pasta.
More tips for making Chicken and Pesto Pasta
- I love serving this chicken pesto pastawith tomatoes. I simply dice up some roma tomatoes and add them on top. But cherry tomatoes or even sun-dried tomatoes are a great option as well.
- To make the pasta and chicken extra saucy, combine some more pesto with a little reserved pasta water to drizzle over top of the finished dish
- You can serve this easy pesto pasta many different ways: hot for dinner, it reheats well as meal-prep lunch, or serve it cold for your next potluck as chicken pesto pasta salad!
Items I used for this Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
I used Chickapea penne. You can simply include some with your next Amazon order.
My food processor is near and dear to my heart to quickly whip up pesto (among so many other things).
And finally, a Lodge L8SK3 10-¼-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet is amazing to give the chicken breasts a perfectly seared outside. I use a silicone sleeve for the handle.
Hungry for more? Try these delicious pasta recipes
(make them gluten free with Chickapea pasta varieties)
- Bacon-Wrapped Scallop Pasta
- One Pot Butternut Squash Pasta
- Healthier Carbonara Pasta
- Beetroot Pasta
Video: How to Make Chicken Pesto Pasta
Pesto Chicken Pasta
5 from 10 votes
This amazing Pesto Chicken Pasta dish comes together in just 30 minutes which makes it perfect for weeknight dinner. A simple recipe for kale pesto is included but you can also use store-bought pesto to make this meal even quicker. Make it gluten free with Chickapea pasta!
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 556 kcal
Ingredients
Simple vegan pesto: (or use ¾ cup storebought pesto)
- 1-½ cup (350ml) greens (kale, spinach, Swiss chard) torn, hard stems removed
- ½ cup (120ml) herbs (parsley, cilantro, basil)
- ¼ teaspoon (1.2ml) sea salt
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 large lime juiced
- ½ cup (120ml) oil olive or avocado
- ⅓ cup (80ml) raw almonds
Chicken Pesto Pasta
- 1 box (8oz/227g) Chickapea Penne pasta
- 2 chicken breasts (about 1lb/450g)
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) oil
- salt & pepper
- 2 small roma tomatoes diced
For serving: chopped parsley, parmesan
Instructions
Make Pesto:
Place greens (hard stems removed), herbs, salt, garlic and lime juice in a food processor. Turn on and slowly pour in oil while machine is running.
Add almonds and pulse until coarsely chopped. Set pesto aside.
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Chickapea penne until al dente.Reserve about ½ cup (125ml) of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Heat a skillet to medium-high heat then drizzle with a tablespoon of oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt, then place in the hot skillet.
Turn heat to medium. Cook the chicken breasts for about 6-10 minutes per side. Once flipped season with black pepper.
The chicken breasts are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C. Set them aside on a cutting board to rest for a 5 minutes before slicing.
Add the drained pasta to the same skillet on low heat. Pour in some of the reserved pasta water as well as ¾ cup (180ml) of the pesto. Toss gentle to combine until all the penne is nicely coated in pesto.
Top with sliced chicken, more pesto, diced tomato, parsley and parmesan.Serve hot or cold as pesto chicken pasta salad.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Pesto Chicken Pasta
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
Fat
24
g
37
%
Cholesterol
82
mg
27
%
Sodium
509
mg
21
%
Carbohydrates
41
g
14
%
Fiber
9.2
g
37
%
Sugar
3.7
g
4
%
Protein
43
g
86
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Random Questions
What goes good with pesto pasta?
Pesto pasta pairs well with various ingredients like tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, and asparagus. These additions can enhance the flavor and texture of the dish, creating a satisfying and well-rounded meal.
What goes with pesto chicken?
Complement pesto chicken with sides like roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or even a serving of whole grains. These additions can provide a balanced and nutritious meal, making it more satisfying and fulfilling.
How healthy is pesto?
Pesto can be a nutritious option, especially when made with wholesome ingredients like greens, herbs, and nuts. While it can be high in fat, these fats are often from healthy sources such as olive oil and nuts, providing beneficial nutrients for the body.
Why is pesto sauce so expensive?
Pesto sauce may appear costly due to the high-quality ingredients used, such as fresh basil, pine nuts, and high-quality olive oil. Additionally, the labor-intensive process of handcrafting traditional pesto can contribute to its higher price point compared to other sauces. So why not make Pesto yourself?
