Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta

4.50 from 2 votes

A decadent pasta dish packed with flavor and nutrients!

Want a Chicken Pesto Pasta That's Super Filling & Delish?

Sometimes dinner can get pushed to the back burner on hectic days. Before you know it, you find yourself ordering takeout or even considering that nearby drive-through. We get it. After a stressful day, the thought of slaving away in the kitchen might make you cringe. Luckily, dinner doesn’t have to steal your precious time and energy with this delectable chicken pesto pasta!

Guilt-Free Comfort Food

Want a Chicken Pesto Pasta That's Super Filling & Delish?

When you think comfort food you probably don’t imagine the healthiest dishes in the world. This rich and creamy pasta dish, however, has a 100% clean-eating ingredient profile. Here at Skinny Ms. we believe you shouldn’t have to shove away crave-worthy comfort dishes in order to stay healthy. With nutritious dishes like this one, you can savor each and every decadent bite without any guilt.

This Chicken Pesto Pasta will Save You on Busy Weeknights

Great for busy weeknights, this recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients (4, to be exact.) This short and sweet list includes chicken, pasta, basil pesto, and olive oil – nothing crazy! And the best part? You can have this mouthwatering dish on the table in just 25 minutes. That’s right – with some healthy ingredients and a few easy steps, you’ll be devouring this guilt-free dinner in no time!

For this clean-eating recipe, slice the chicken breasts into thin slices, and cook them on a skillet until cooked-through and lightly browned. Meanwhile, cook the pasta separately, and strain. Afterwards, add the chicken and pesto to your pasta, mix these goodies together, and voila! If you want to make this meal vegetarian, simply ditch the chicken and throw in some extra veggies! Cooked broccoli, artichokes, or roasted vegetables like red peppers make great options as they add incredible flavor variety. Not to mention, extra veggies will pack in some extra nutrients and offer an awesome pop of color.

This Dish Goes Easy On Your Wallet

A delicious pasta dish that is loaded with flavor!

This healthy pasta deserves an award for being budget-friendly and satisfying as ever. When it comes to crunching numbers, grocery shopping for weeknight dinners really shouldn’t wreck your wallet. Pasta makes a cheap staple you can dress up with other affordable ingredients like veggies and chicken.

In terms of numbers, pesto will probably clock in as the priciest ingredient on the list. However, a little goes a long way. A tub of pesto can last you for multiple pasta dishes, not just one. Rich, creamy, and satisfying, this sauce will certainly not go to waste.

Speaking of Pesto

When it comes to the scrumptious sauce, extra virgin olive oil teams up with pine nuts to bring you something magical. Both the oil and pine nuts support energy production in the body. Additionally, the superfoods contain healthy fats that can suppress the appetite and keep you feeling satisfied longer!

Feeling adventurous? Try whipping up your own! If you have some extra time on your hands, nothing beats homemade pesto. Seriously. The delectable, nutrient-rich sauce can also spruce up seafood dishes like salmon, or act as a veggie dip. That said, it has some awesome versatility.

If you love pesto as much as we do, check out our Top 7 Best Pesto Recipes out there. You’re welcome!

We’re not going to deny pesto’s heavy oil content. Although the olive oil in pesto boasts numerous health benefits, it certainly doesn’t boast a calorie-free price tag. That said, if you want to lighten up the savory sauce and also cut out the dairy, here’s How to Make Oil-Free Pesto!

Try it Tonight!

With just 4 ingredients and a few stress-free steps, this wholesome dish is a no-brainer on busy weeknights. Plus, clocking in at 23 whopping grams of protein per serving, it’s guaranteed to hit the spot and keep you feeling full.

Are you a pasta fan who wants to enjoy the comfort food without wrecking your waistline? Check out these 15 Pasta Dishes That Won’t Pack on the Pounds!

 

4.50 from 2 votes

Want a Chicken Pesto Pasta That's Super Filling & Delish?

A super easy and quick dinner that will leave you full but wanting more!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Yield 6 people
Serving Size 1 cup
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 boneless and skinless chicken breast sliced thin
  • 1 pound pasta (any variety), cooked
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet on medium high heat. Once hot, add the sliced chicken breast and cook until lightly browned and cooked through.
  • Add the cooked chicken and pesto into the pasta. Toss to coat the pasta and chicken in the pest. Serve hot.
  • Pro Tip: Add your favorite veggies (lightly cooked, roasted, or raw) to the pasta for extra flavor!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 378mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 434IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 11
Keywords Quick and Easy

Have you made this recipe?
Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms

For more quick and easy weeknight dinner ideas, make sure to check out these 14 Quick Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights!

For more tasty recipes, clean eating tips and healthy lifestyle resources, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Pinterest!

This post may include affiliate links.

Chef Nichole

Nichole has a culinary degree from Great Lakes Culinary Institute and has worked in the culinary industry for 10 years. She also has the knowledge to write recipes using the most nutritious, fresh, and balanced ingredients. Nichole enjoys creating healthy and tasty recipes anyone can prepare, no matter their cooking skill level.

More by Chef Nichole

1 Comment

  1. This was good and easy to make. I think next time I might sauté some onion first and add the whole jar of pesto. 🙂4 stars

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating