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Why You’ll Love My Recipe

If you love pesto pasta but wish it felt more like a full meal, this recipe is the perfect upgrade! Juicy, well-seasoned chicken pairs with herby basil pesto for a dish that’s healthy, filling, and incredibly satisfying. This pasta is simple to make, but it’s delicious enough to keep on repeat all week long!

For those who enjoy cooking from scratch, try making your own Italian Seasoning! And while you’re at it, a fresh, homemade Basil Pesto will take your pasta to the next level. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Reader Review

Quick and easy and delicious!

– Jen E.

Karlynn’s Recipe Notes

Skill Level: This recipe is so easy to make, you’ll want to eat it all week!
Total Time: Your meal will be ready in just 40 minutes – perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Variations: Want to take your pasta to the next level? Stir in extra seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, or red pepper flakes to the sauce. Top the pasta with crumbled bacon, my Homemade Bread Crumbs for crunch, or swap the chicken for another protein! Serve your pasta with crusty White Bread to soak up every bit of sauce, a Classic Wedge Salad, and your favorite roasted vegetables for a full, delicious meal.
Tools For This Recipe: You will need a pasta strainer, a large, deep-sided skillet, a spatula, and a spoon for stirring and serving.

A close-up of a fork holding penne pasta with creamy pesto sauce and pieces of chicken, above a bowl filled with more pasta. Bowls and condiments are blurred in the background.

What You’ll Need for Ingredients

Chicken Breasts: Tender, juicy, and packed with protein, chicken breasts turn a simple pesto pasta into a hearty, well-rounded meal! Flavored with my homemade Italian Seasoning, they’re simple but oh-so-satisfying. Karlynn’s Tip: Not a chicken fan? Try a cooked salmon fillet instead! While a bit pricier, it adds a delicate, flaky richness that turns this pasta into something totally different and delicious.

Basil Pesto: Delivers that signature herby, garlicky taste, pairing perfectly with the Romano cheese to give your pasta a fresh, zesty kick.

Overhead view of uncooked chicken pieces, dry penne pasta, grated cheese, basil, seasonings, butter, olive oil, flour, pesto, milk, broth, minced garlic, and sugar arranged in bowls on a white surface.

Penne Pasta: This classic tubular pasta holds all the sauce beautifully! Karlynn’s Tip: Since there are so many types of pasta available, why not experiment? Try using pasta shapes with tubes or rough surfaces that can trap the sauce – fusilli, rigatoni, or cavatappi are all great options!

Half-and-Half Cream: This is key to creating a thick, luxurious sauce that clings to the pasta and chicken. It works hand in hand with the butter and flour for a creamy, velvety finish!

Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds savory depth and helps create the perfect sauce base. Karlynn’s Tip: If you don’t have any chicken broth on hand, you can swap in my Vegetable Broth or some Pork Broth for a slightly different flavor!

How To Make Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.

Overhead view of a pan with seasoned raw chicken pieces, surrounded by bowls of pesto, cream, minced garlic, butter, flour, and herbs, with a block of Parmesan and basil on a white marble surface.

A skillet with sizzling minced garlic in melted butter, surrounded by ingredients for cooking, including shredded cheese, cream, flour, pesto, cooked chicken, spices, and fresh basil on a white countertop.

Prepare the pasta to al dente, drain, and set aside.
Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper as desired.
Heat a large, deep-sided skillet over medium heat with olive oil, and add the seasoned chicken breast. Cook until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165ºF, browning all sides. Transfer it to a plate.
Return the skillet to the stove and melt the butter, then add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over top and stir, cooking about 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
Add the half-and-half and bring the mixture to a low simmer. Stir in the cheese and pesto, stirring until slightly thickened.
Add the cooked pasta and chicken, then stir until everything is covered in sauce.
Remove from the heat and plate, garnishing with fresh chopped basil!

A bowl of penne pasta with pesto sauce and pieces of chicken, garnished with fresh basil. Other bowls of pasta, a salt shaker, a cheese grater, and utensils are visible on a white marble surface.

Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

The Scoop on Half-and-Half: If you live outside of North America, you might be scratching your head at “half-and-half”. Luckily, it’s exactly what it sounds like, half whole milk, half cream! In the UK or Europe, single cream can be used as a substitute, or you can make your own half-and-half by combining equal parts cream and the highest-fat milk you can find!
Get the Sauce Just Right: This recipe creates a beautifully creamy, herby sauce that coats the pasta and chicken perfectly. That said, the texture is very customizable. If you want your pasta a little bit richer, add more pesto for an extra punch of flavor. Or, if you need the sauce a little thinner so you can mop it up with crusty bread, stir in a tiny splash of the pasta cooking water – an easy trick to get the thin consistency you want!
Protein Options: Chicken is the classic choice here, giving you juicy, flavorful bites and plenty of protein, though you could swap in salmon or bacon! If you’re not a fan of meat or fish, semi-firm tofu is the perfect vegetarian alternative to keep your meal protein-packed.

Three bowls of penne pasta with pesto sauce and pieces of chicken, garnished with fresh basil leaves, are arranged on a white surface next to a pan of pasta, forks, a cloth napkin, and garlic cloves.

Storage Instructions

This pesto pasta is just as satisfying the next day, making it perfect for leftovers or weekly meal prep!

Refrigerator: Once cooled, store your pasta and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. If the sauce has thickened, stir in a splash of milk or cream to revive its silky texture.

Freezer: You can absolutely freeze this pasta, but the creamy sauce might separate slightly after thawing. For the best results, portion into airtight, freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months, following USDA food safety guidelines. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly to maintain the creamy sauce consistency.

More Delicious Pasta Recipes

If pasta is your thing, don’t stop here! These reader-favorite Pasta Recipes are just as easy to make and come packed with flavor:

Rich, velvety, and perfectly cheesy, my Linguine Alfredo is sure to be a hit at the dinner table!
The coziest combination of chicken, creamy spinach, mushrooms, and pasta comes together in this Easy Chicken Florentine.
Learn How to Make Spaghetti Aglio E Olio for a no-fuss Italian classic that shines with just a handful of ingredients!

And just like that, you’ve got a creamy, herby pasta that’s filling, satisfying, and easy to make any night of the week!

Give this recipe a try, enjoy every creamy bite, and don’t forget to share your results in the comments below. I love hearing how these recipes come to life in your kitchen!

Happy Cooking!

Karlynn

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