5 from 24 votes
Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta combines freshly made pesto from basil, pine nuts, and pecorino with shredded cooked chicken and small pasta like ziti or fusilli. The vibrant green sauce coats the warm pasta and chicken, offering fresh herbal and nutty flavors with a creamy texture from the olive oil and cheese.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
551 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian, American
Ingredients
For the Homemade Pesto:
- 2 cups basil packed, fresh leaves
- ½ cup pine nuts
- ½ cup pecorino cheese or parmesan, grated
- 1 clove garlic peeled
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- black pepper
- salt
For the Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta:
- 1 pound pasta ziti, fusilli, or gemelli, small
- 2 cups chicken shredded, cooked
Instructions
For the Basil Pesto:
- Set out a food processor. Place the basil leaves, pine nuts, pecorino cheese, garlic clove, and lemon juice in the food processor. Cover and pulse until finely ground.
- Then add in the olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground pepper. Pulse again until a smooth, thick pesto sauce is formed. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.
Cup of Yum
For the Pesto Chicken Pasta:
- Set a large pot of salted water over high heat, and set out a mixing bowl. Once the water is boiling, stir the pasta into the water. Cook to al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and place in the bowl.
- Stir in the shredded cooked chicken. Allow the temperature of the pasta to come down a little, as to not cook the pesto. Once the pasta is warm (not hot) stir in the pesto, one half cup at a time, until it is as saucy as you like.
- Serve at room temperature, or cold. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Prepare the pesto fresh for best flavor, but it can be refrigerated and still tastes good up to 4 days ahead.
- Add ½ to 1 cup heavy cream to the pesto to create a creamy sauce variation.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
551kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
6mg
(2%)
Sodium
139mg
(6%)
Potassium
267mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
487IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
131mg
(13%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 551
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 551kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 139mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 267mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 487IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 131mg | 13% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.