5 from 90 votes
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
The Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta combines a homemade pesto sauce made with fresh basil, parsley, Parmesan, toasted cashews, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and water, tossed with cooked penne pasta, sautéed chicken seasoned with Italian seasoning and black pepper, baby spinach, and cherry tomatoes. The result is a rich, herbaceous pasta dish with tender chicken and fresh vegetables, balanced by a creamy, tangy sauce.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
605 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
Creamy Pesto Sauce
- 1 cup basil packed, fresh
- ¼ cup parsley packed, fresh
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- ¼ cup cashews toasted
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt sea salt
- lemon juice from ½ lemon
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup water
Chicken and Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta penne is pictured
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper sea salt
- 2 ounces baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup cherry tomato halved
Instructions
- Begin by making the pesto sauce. Put all of the ingredients into your blender and blend on high until smooth.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain the water then return the pasta to the pot and toss with a little olive oil.
- While the pasta water is warming, add the oil to a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, stirring a few times, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Add the cooked pasta, spinach, and tomatoes to the pan with the chicken. Pour the pesto sauce over top and mix everything together. Serve right away.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 serving = ¼ of the recipe
Calories
605kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
39g
(78%)
Fat
28g
(43%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
16g
(80%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
83mg
(28%)
Sodium
782mg
(33%)
Potassium
829mg
(18%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
2295IU
(46%)
Vitamin C
22mg
(24%)
Calcium
205mg
(21%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 605
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving = ¼ of the recipe | |
| Calories | 605kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 83mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 782mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 829mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 2295IU | 46% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 205mg | 21% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.