5.0 from 135 votes
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
This creamy chicken pesto pasta is a winning family dinner. Tender bites of chicken are mixed with your favorite pasta and smothered in an easy to make creamy pesto sauce. It's a 25-minute dinner recipe you don't want to miss!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 605 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
Creamy Pesto Sauce
- 1 cup fresh basil packed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley packed
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ¼ cup toasted cashews
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 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 breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon each: sea salt and pepper
- 2 ounces baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
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
Monounsaturated Fat
16g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
83mg
(28%)
Sodium
782mg
(33%)
Potassium
829mg
(24%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
2295IU
(46%)
Vitamin C
22mg
(24%)
Calcium
205mg
(21%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
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.