My Kind of Kitchen Magic
This one pot creamy pesto chicken pasta is my favorite trick. You make the whole dinner in one pan. That means less washing up for you. I still laugh at that. Why does this matter? A simple one pot meal brings everyone to the table faster. You get more time for stories, not scrubbing. What is your favorite one-pan wonder? I would love to know.A Little Story About Pesto
I first had pesto on a trip long ago. It was just green sauce on noodles to me then. But the smell! It was like a summer garden in a bowl. Doesn’t that smell amazing? *Fun fact: The word “pesto” comes from the Italian word meaning “to crush.”* They crush the basil, garlic, and nuts together. This creamy pesto chicken pasta is a cozy twist on that old idea. You can try pesto on a tomato mozzarella pesto panini, too.Why This Recipe Works
This is a true quick chicken pasta recipe. You brown the chicken, then everything cooks together. The pasta soaks up the tasty broth right in the pan. It’s the heart of a perfect easy weeknight dinner. Why does this matter? Cooking it all together blends the flavors beautifully. It turns simple items into a special family dinner recipe. Do you prefer your pasta creamy or brothy? Tell me your style.Making It Your Own
The recipe is just your starting point. That’s the fun part. I love adding the spinach. It wilts right into the warm sauce. It makes me feel clever, getting a green veggie in so easily. You can keep it simple for a budget friendly dinner. Or add sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet punch. This 30 minute meal forgives you for changing things. What would you stir in at the end?The Simple Joy of Sharing
I have a small table in my kitchen. That’s where we eat this pesto chicken pasta. The pot goes right in the middle. Everyone serves themselves. It feels warm and happy. Any one pot pasta creates that feeling. The cook isn’t stuck away in the kitchen. You are right there with everyone. That, my dear, is the best ingredient of all.Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| boneless, skinless chicken breast | 1 lb. | cut into 1-inch pieces |
| butter | 2 Tbsp | |
| garlic | 2 cloves | minced |
| penne pasta | 1/2 lb. | uncooked |
| chicken broth | 1.5 cups | |
| milk | 1 cup | |
| cream cheese | 3 oz. | cut into chunks |
| basil pesto | 1/3 cup | |
| grated Parmesan | 1/4 cup | |
| freshly cracked pepper | to taste | for serving |
| crushed red pepper | 1 pinch | for serving |
| fresh spinach | 3 cups | optional add-in |
| sliced sun dried tomatoes | 1/4 cup | optional add-in |
Instructions
Step 1: Cut your chicken into small pieces. Melt butter in your deep skillet. This starts our easy weeknight dinner. I love a good one pot meal. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
Step 2: Cook chicken until it looks a little golden. Mince your garlic while it cooks. Add the garlic for one more minute. This makes your kitchen smell wonderful. (Use a hot pan so the chicken sizzles right away!)
Step 3: Now, add the dry pasta and broth. Stir to get all the tasty bits up. This is the magic of a one pot pasta. Bring it all to a boil with the lid on. Then, turn the heat down to let it simmer.
Step 4: Let it cook for about 8 minutes. Stir it every so often. The pasta will get tender and soak up the broth. This makes our creamy pesto chicken pasta so rich. What’s your favorite pasta shape for a quick chicken pasta recipe? Share below!
Step 5: Time for the creamy part! Stir in milk, cream cheese, and pesto. Cook until it’s all smooth and dreamy. I use my creamy pesto chicken trick here. Finally, add Parmesan and your optional spinach. You just made a perfect family dinner recipe.
Creative Twists
Swap the pasta for gnocchi for a super cozy change. Try a different pesto, like a sun-dried tomato pesto, for fun color. Add a can of drained white beans to make it extra filling and budget friendly dinner. Which one would you try first? Comment below!Serving & Pairing Ideas
This one pot creamy pesto chicken pasta is a full meal. I love it with a simple green salad on the side. Some garlic bread is perfect for scooping up the last bits of sauce. For a lighter touch, try it with my quick chicken pesto pasta salad ideas. A 30 minute meal deserves an easy pairing. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your One Pot Pasta Perfect
This creamy pesto chicken pasta keeps well. Let it cool first. Then put it in a sealed container. It will be good in your fridge for three days.
You can freeze it for a busy month. I use a freezer-safe bag. I once froze my first batch for too long. It was a bit dry when thawed. Now I eat frozen meals within a month.
Reheat it gently on the stove. Add a splash of milk or broth. This keeps your easy weeknight dinner creamy. Batch cooking this saves future-you so much time. It turns a 30 minute meal into a 5 minute one!
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups
Is your sauce too thick? Just stir in a little extra milk. This will make it silky again. I remember when my grandson added too much pasta. The sauce looked gone! We fixed it with more broth and pesto.
Is the chicken cooking too fast? Turn your heat down. Good cooking takes a gentle touch. Is your pasta sticking? Remember to stir it every two minutes. This little habit makes a big difference.
Fixing small issues builds your cooking confidence. You learn how flavors work together. This turns a quick chicken pasta recipe into your speciality. Your family will love it.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to use pesto from a jar with pasta and chicken?
For a simple one pot meal, cook your chicken and pasta first. Stir the jarred pesto in at the very end. This keeps its fresh, herby flavor bright. You can find more ways to use jarred pesto in this pesto pasta guide. It is a true budget friendly dinner staple.
How to make a creamy pesto chicken pasta?
The secret is cream cheese and milk. They make the sauce rich and smooth. Add them with the pesto after the pasta is cooked. Stir until everything is melted together. This method creates the best creamy pesto chicken pasta for a family dinner recipe.
Can you add pesto straight from the jar?
Yes, you certainly can! There is no need to cook it. Just stir it in at the end of cooking. Heating pesto too much can make it lose its lovely color. *Fun fact: pesto gets its name from the Italian word for “pounded.”* Try it on a tomato mozzarella pesto panini too.
Is creamy pesto the same as regular pesto?
No, they are different. Regular pesto is just herbs, oil, nuts, and cheese. Creamy pesto has dairy added, like cream cheese or milk. This makes it richer and smoother. It coats pasta beautifully for an easy weeknight dinner. For another creamy option, see this creamy pesto shells recipe.
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love this one pot creamy pesto chicken pasta. It has been a favorite in my home for years. The best meals are the ones shared with people you love. I would be so happy to hear about your cooking adventure.
Have you tried this recipe? Tell me all about it in the comments. Did your family enjoy it? What little twist did you add? I read every single note from my kitchen friends.
Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn
Creamy Pesto Chicken One Pot Pasta
Description
A rich and creamy one-pot pasta dish with tender chicken, pesto, and Parmesan, ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch pieces.
- Add the butter to a deep skillet and melt over medium heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook over medium heat until the chicken is slightly browned on the outside.
- While the chicken is cooking, mince the garlic.
- Add the garlic to the skillet with the chicken and continue to sauté for one minute more.
- Add the uncooked pasta and chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken and garlic. Stir to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring the broth up to a boil.
- Once the broth comes to a full boil, give the pasta a quick stir, replace the lid, and turn the heat down to medium-low.
- Let the pasta simmer over medium-low heat for about 8 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed. Stir the pasta briefly every two minutes as it simmers, replacing the lid quickly each time.
- Once the pasta is tender and most of the broth absorbed, add the milk, cream cheese (cut into chunks), and pesto.
- Stir and cook over medium heat until the cream cheese has fully melted into the sauce.
- Finally, add the grated Parmesan and stir until combined.
- If using, add the fresh spinach and sliced sun dried tomatoes. Stir until the spinach has wilted, then remove the pasta from the heat.
- Top the pasta with freshly cracked pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper, then serve.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can use low-fat milk and Neufchâtel cheese instead of cream cheese. Adjust the amount of chicken broth if you prefer a saucier or thicker consistency.