Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with Tomatoes

This chicken pesto pasta with tomatoes is rich and creamy. it’s packed with lots of flavor and ready in just 30 minutes. Made with basil pesto, parmesan cheese, and garlic to make the creamiest sauce. It’s so delicious and perfect for a large gathering or simply for an easy dinner at home. You can’t go wrong with this chicken pesto pasta dish!

Chicken Pesto Pasta

This creamy chicken pesto pasta is seriously SO good and so easy to make. It’s made with tender and juicy chicken, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy pesto sauce. The combination of flavors mixes so well. This chicken pesto pasta is super easy to make. You will be amazed at how delicious this dish is. Easily make some changes to the recipe to better fit your sense of style when it comes to this pasta. This dish is both quick and enjoyable for your whole family!

Why You’ll Love Chicken Pesto Pasta

Quick and Fuss Free: Being a mom to two boys (2 years and 5 months) I know how hectic it can be trying to get dinner ready. This recipe is the perfect for an easy dinner night. You’ll have dinner ready and at the table in just 30 minutes. No fuss just an easy and delicious dinner. Plus, the dishes are minimal making for an even easier clean up!

Delicious Family Meal: Packed with loads of flavor, tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and smothered in a rich and creamy pesto sauce your whole families taste buds and belly will be having a dance party! This pesto pasta will be a guaranteed hit for your whole family including your little ones.

Variations: This pasta is easily adaptable. Add in some of your favorite greens, use extra chicken for more protein, use another type of protein, or simply leave the dish as is. Either way, this pasta gets it done!

Everything You’ll Nedd for Chicken Pesto Pasta

Before diving into how to make this recipe let’s start off with what is needed to make it. The ingredients are simple and basic. Basic pantry staples!

• Penne Pasta
• Chicken
• Parmesan Cheese
• Half and Half
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Basil Pesto
• Garlic
• Olive Oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Italian Seasoning

How to Make Chicken Pesto Pasta

1. Cook the pasta: First you’ll want to cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salt water. Once the pasta is finished drain and set aside for later.
2. Cut and season the chicken: Next you’ll want to cut up the chicken into small cubes. Season the chicken with pepper and Italian seasoning.
3. Cook the chicken: Over medium heat drizzle the olive oil on a large skillet. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes or until it’s fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside for later.
4. Cook the garlic and tomatoes: In the same skillet add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add to the skillet cooking for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the parmesan, pesto, and half and half: Lower the temperature to low and pour in the parmesan cheese, pesto, and half and half. Mix until well combined.
6. Fold in the chicken and pasta: Lastly add the cooked chicken and pasta and stir unitl fully combined. Serve warm and enjoy!

Variations For This Pasta Recipe

Protein: Instead of using chicken breast you could substitute with chicken thighs, rotisserie chicken, or even Italian sausage.

Use different pasta: I used penne pasta, but you can enjoy this recipe using bow tie, farfalle, ziti, ditalini, or really any kind of pasta you prefer. Use your favorite!

Add in some greens and other vegetables: To make this pasta even more hearty and delicious add in some of your favorite greens. Spinach, mushrooms, or even sun-dried tomatoes.

Make it gluten free: If you’re looking to make this dish gluten free simply swap out the pasta for gluten free kind and boom you have a gluten free creamy chicken pesto pasta.

How To Store Chicken Pesto Pasta

In the refrigerator: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop on low-medium heat.

In the freezer: You can also freeze this pasta if you’d like. Double or even triple the recipe and store in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Simply reheat the pasta on the stove top on low-medium. If the pasta is super thick you can always add a little bit of milk to help thin it a little bit. (Don’t add too much milk too quickly. Slowly add one tablespoon at a time until you have the consistency that you want).

This pasta recipe was a big hit in our family. Even my husband who isn’t a fan of literally ANYTHING pesto said he’d defiantly eat it again. I hope you try out this recipe and let me know how you like it! I know how tough it can be trying to make dinner every night for your family. That’s why I love creating simple yet delicious recipes that I know your whole family will love! Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated all the time!

Questions for you!

1. What’s your go to easy dinner meal?
2. How big is your family?
3. Would you like to see more easy dinner recipes on my blog?