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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!
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!
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!
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.
Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Photographs by Eat Love Eat
i have not put in that situation but i would put your concern straight up and hope that she would understand. it is very thoughtful of you to help her but at the same time, your time is equally valuable. and this pasta, absolutely love it.
Pesto, chicken and pasta, this has to be a winner!
1. This recipe looks amazing
2. It’s YOUR money, YOUR time, and most important (in my opinion) YOUR hair. I was in the beauty business for years and if I wasn’t meeting my clients needs, then I wasn’t doing my job. One of these needs is to have predictable appointment times so that you can plan your life around these sorts of things. That’s not to say that your current stylist doesn’t care – but it sounds like her priorities are different now as a business owner, which is totally ok. But being 30-40 minutes late multiple times is definitely not ok. I had to fire customers because they were late…I am sure she would fire you if the roles were reversed. Just my guess :-) I would say that your time is just as valuable and you really have to do what’s best for you. If you are as good of friends as you say, then your friendship will remain! Good luck!
Thanks, Stephanie! Such great advice especially coming from someone in the beauty business!
Love this pasta Julie & the pictures are great too!
Re: the hair stylist, if she’s a good friend, I would give her one more shot and if she runs late again, having you wait for 30-40 minutes, I would just talk to her. . these days, time is everything. And hello?! this pasta. . love pesto in anything. Pinned and looks delicious!
Yeah, I made an appointment with her in early October so I’ll see how that goes and take it from there ’cause then I can say I tried and it just isn’t working for me. It seriously is so far! Lol
Regarding your hairstylist, I would go to the new one who is closer to your home as a regular. But when your travels take you near your other stylist, still use her occasionally! What do you think?
That makes sense! Good call, Mary! Thanks :)
I broke up with a hair dresser for the same reason. It was off for a while. I love this recipe! I just planned tonights dinner.
This pasta looks delicious. Orecchiette is my absolute favorite pasta. I had to break up with a hair stylist a couple years ago – it was awkward but for the best. Good Luck!
I think the hairstylist dilemma is hard. Maybe talk to her about the situation. And this pasta, wow! I was going to be doing a search this morning for this type of dish. It looks similar to a dish my husband and I had at ESPN zone Saturday night which he raved on about. So, search over, pinned and printed. Thank you!
Oh wow, that was fast! I’m glad you found this recipe so quickly and are going to make it soon! Enjoy :)
This pasta dish looks fantastic. In fact, I know it’s the kind of thing my family would love.
As for the stylist issue, I would be honest with her. Let her know that your days are busy and the drive is becoming an issue. You might be doing a favor by bringing up the timeliness of the appointment too because I’ll bet you’re not the only client who is frustrated.