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If you’ve got 20 minutes, then you’ve got time to make this basil pesto chicken pasta. It’s loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli, and tossed in a fresh homemade basil pesto. This will be an instant family favorite and be on regular dinner rotation!

A skillet filled with orecchiette pasta, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken pieces. A wooden spoon is in the skillet. A small bowl of basil pesto is next to the skillet.
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Fresh and Flavorful: Pesto Chicken Pasta

Just like my other simple weeknight pasta meals (Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese, Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta, and One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta), this pesto chicken pasta is impressively easy and filled with nutritious ingredients to satisfy. The chicken gives a great protein-boost to this pesto chicken pasta in addition to all the vegetables! Sun-dried tomatoes are one of my favorite ingredients to use as they’re so flavorful and I love their chewy and soft texture. It really helps to elevate the dish.

Have an abundance of fresh basil? Make homemade basil pesto and use it in this pesto chicken pasta dish! Honestly, you can’t beat how fresh homemade pesto is. The orecchiette pasta are like little “cups” that catch the pesto so you have some in every bite!

A bowl of orecchiette pasta with pieces of chicken, broccoli florets, and sun-dried tomatoes, tossed in a pesto sauce. A wooden spoon is partially visible in the dish.

Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe Variations

  • Make this vegetarian. Omit the chicken and use navy beans or great northern beans in place of the chicken. Alternatively, using a plant-based protein like tofu would be a great replacement.
  • Use a different meat. Spicy Italian pork sausage would compliment the basil pesto so well! Ground turkey, ground chicken, or even chicken sausage would work excellent in this.
  • Creamy and cheesy. Dollop some whole milk ricotta cheese on top and mix it throughout the pasta dish to finish. Goat cheese (if you like it) or freshly grated parmesan cheese are options too!
Bowls of orecchiette pasta with broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken, and pesto. A striped napkin and a bowl of pesto sit beside them.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Allow leftovers to cool then use the following to store and reheat:

  • To store. Place leftover pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  • To reheat. Portion out leftovers into a microwave-safe bowl and reheat in the microwave until warmed through. You may need a splash of water to loosen things up. You can also reheat leftovers on the stovetop in a skillet until warmed through.
A skillet filled with orecchiette pasta, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken pieces. A wooden spoon is in the skillet. A small bowl of basil pesto is next to the skillet.
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4.75 from 4 votes

Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta

By: Julie Chiou
If you've got 20 minutes, then you've got time to make this basil pesto chicken pasta. It's loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli, and tossed in a fresh homemade basil pesto.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups (150 g) dried orecchiette pasta
  • ½ cup sundried tomatoes in olive oil, julienned
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • ½ large onion, diced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, (if you're sensitive to spice you might want to start out with 1/4 teaspoon)
  • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed into 1" cubes
  • 4 tablespoons basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup (91 g) broccoli florets, blanched
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to the directions on the box. Once done, drain well and set aside.
    2 cups (150 g) dried orecchiette pasta
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 teaspoon of oil from the sun-dried tomatoes. Add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic slices, onion, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté until fragrant and onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
    1/2 cup sundried tomatoes in olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 large onion, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    A white frying pan with sautéed onions and sun-dried tomatoes, and a wooden spoon on a beige surface.
  • Add the cubed chicken breast to the skillet and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
    1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
    A skillet with cooked chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and onions, stirred with a wooden spoon on a beige surface.
  • Add the basil pesto to the skillet and turn heat down to medium-low. The basil pesto might be a bit thick so you can thin it out by adding 1 tablespoon of water to the skillet, if needed.
    4 tablespoons basil pesto
    A pan filled with cooked chicken, mixed with sun-dried tomatoes, spices, and pesto, is being stirred with a wooden spoon on a beige background.
  • Add the blanched broccoli florets and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss until everything is coated in the pesto and the ingredients are all evenly distributed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    1 cup (91 g) broccoli florets, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
    A skillet of orecchiette pasta with pieces of chicken, broccoli, and sun-dried tomatoes, stirred with a wooden spoon.
  • Serve and enjoy!
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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (472 grams), Calories: 550kcal, Carbohydrates: 72g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 39mg, Sodium: 1030mg, Potassium: 1016mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 5g
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Photographs by Eat Love Eat

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Recipe Rating




65 Comments

  1. Pat says:

    Recipe was delicious–lot of flavor and easy to make. Fortunately I had just made a batch of fresh pesto. Used 1/4 t. pepper flakes which gave it just the right amount of kick for us. Did not have orecchiette on hand,(next time!), but used penne instead. Will definitely make this again!

    Reply
  2. Mara says:

    I’ve made this a few times. Delicious!

    Reply
  3. KB says:

    I’m making this pasta dish for dinner tonight looks yummy from your photos. My ? Is do you blanch the broccoli in in a separate pot of boiling water or the same pot that you cooked the pasta was in? The pasta will be drained !

    Reply
    1. Julie Chiou says:

      you can totally blanch it in the same pot the pasta was cooked in! just scoop out the pasta with a scoop colander or pasta scoop.

      Reply
  4. Sara says:

    We absolutely love this recipe. It’s so easy and delicious and filling. YUM.

    Reply
  5. Lauren says:

    I adore this recipe and my family loves it! I want to bring this to a family event but want to swap the broccoli due to conflicting dish.. any recommendations? ☺️

    Reply
    1. Julie Wampler says:

      Could you use shaved brussels sprouts?

      Reply