Creamy chicken pesto pasta is a rich and indulgent dish that combines tender chicken, fresh pesto, and a creamy sauce for a satisfying, flavorful meal. This dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, a special gathering, or when you want to treat yourself to a comforting bowl of pasta with a burst of bright, herby flavor.
To prepare creamy chicken pesto pasta, start by cooking your favorite pasta – whether it’s penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti – until al dente. While the pasta cooks, season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a bit of olive oil, then cook them until golden brown and cooked through. The chicken is sliced into strips or chunks, ready to be mixed into the pasta.
The star of this dish is the pesto sauce, made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, all blended together until smooth. To create the creamy texture, a generous amount of heavy cream or half-and-half is added to the pesto, transforming it into a velvety sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. The pesto cream sauce is then tossed with the cooked pasta and chicken, ensuring that each bite is rich and flavorful.
For extra depth of flavor, you can also add sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted vegetables, which complement the creamy pesto sauce and make the dish even more satisfying. A sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese and a handful of fresh basil leaves on top make for a finishing touch that adds both flavor and visual appeal.
Creamy chicken pesto pasta is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your tastes, whether you prefer a bit of heat from red pepper flakes, extra richness from a dollop of ricotta, or a touch of lemon zest to brighten up the flavors.
For drinks, a light white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc pairs wonderfully with this rich, creamy pasta. Alternatively, a crisp sparkling water or iced tea offers a refreshing contrast.
This creamy chicken pesto pasta is a perfect balance of herby, savory, and creamy, making it a dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup pesto store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne or fettuccine
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, stir in the pesto and heavy cream, and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
I followed the recipe exactly and it taste like nothing special. I mean, what’s with chicken and pesto? I expected more flavor!!
Not bad, but I think I added too much salt. Next time I’ll be more careful. Also, couldn’t find fettuccine, so used spaghetti. 🤷♂️
Yum! So easy to make and my kids loved it! Doubled the parmesan for extra cheesiness. Will make it again, for sure!
This was a total hit at my family dinner! Rich and creamy, just the way I like my pasta. Definitely making it again!
Rich and creamy? Sounds like it has too much cream for me. I prefer a lighter sauce.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! This recipe really is a winner! Can’t wait to try it myself.
Not bad, but 3/4 cup pesto felt like a lot for my taste. I’ll cut it down next time or add more cream/cheese to balance.
I added sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor, and it was a game changer! So good. Also, more cheese please!
I don’t understand why you need heavy cream. Seems unnecessary.
Heavy cream is what makes it creamy! I think it’s a key ingredient for sure.
This was super easy to make! My family loved it!
The chicken was cooked perfectly, but I think the pesto could be stronger. I used homemade but it felt a bit bland.
Could you use chicken thighs instead? I got some in my fridge.
Yes, chicken thighs would work great! They’ll add more flavor and stay juicy. Enjoy your cooking!
I dunno if thighs are the best for this… the recipe calls for breasts for a reason, right?
Pasta and chicken? yummm! But how about a vegan version?
I love vegan food too! Maybe you can try replacing the chicken with tofu and use cashew cream? Would be great!
Kinda bland for my taste. Needs more spices! 🙁
I actually found it pretty tasty! Maybe try adding some red pepper flakes or garlic? That could spice it up!
Bland? Seriously? I thought it was flavorful! Are you sure you followed the recipe right?
Yummy! 😋 Simple to make and quick. Will make again!
Made this tonight and it was insanely good—creamy, flavorful, and the pesto really shines. I used homemade pesto and added a squeeze of lemon at the end. Will definitely repeat.
I think this was easy and quick, I like easy meals. Good job!
Yum!
Is it really that easy? I feel like I’m missing something. 🤔
I didn’t have pesto, so I used tomato sauce instead. It was a disaster.
Disaster! My chicken was undercooked and now I’m worried. Where did I go wrong?!
This pasta is incredible! So creamy and flavorful. My kids devoured it!
Ingredients list seems too long. Can I skip the cream? Asking for a friend…
Hmm, not sure skipping major ingredients is a good idea. You lose flavor, y’know?
You can totally skip the cream! It’ll still taste good, just a little less creamy. 😄
It’s just pasta and chicken…nothing special. 1 star.
This recpie has too much cream. Made us sick! Never again.
I followed the recipe but mine turned out kinda bland until I added more salt. Once seasoned properly it was great. Don’t skip tasting and adjusting!
Yes!! I learned the hard way that pesto + cream can be a little “meh” without enough salt. I always taste at step 5 and adjust—glad yours turned out great once you did.
This was amazing! My whole family loved it, especially my kids! Definitely a keeper!
Didn’t turn out well for me, the chicken was dry. 😕
Not bad, but my pesto was really salty so I barely added any extra salt. Keep an eye on seasoning—Parmesan is already salty too.
I found it a little too rich for my taste. Maybe less cream next time?
I totally agree! The cream part can be overwhelming. I usually just use half the amount. Gives it a nice balance!
I don’t understand why people love pesto so much. I used to like it but now it just tastes weird.
I totally get what you mean! Pesto can be really hit or miss. Some people just love that herby flavor, but others find it kind of overwhelming. It’s all about personal taste!
Pretty easy weeknight meal. I used store-bought pesto and it still tasted fresh. Next time I’ll add a little garlic.
Not impressed. The chicken got dry and the sauce was too thick.
I think the sauce is supposed to be thick! But maybe try adding some pasta water next time? It helps thin it out a bit.
Dry chicken? That sucks! Maybe you cooked it too long? I always struggle with chicken being juicy too.
I was skeptical about the heavy cream with pesto but it turned out great! Tastes sooo good!
I can’t believe you put heavy cream with pesto! That sounds wild, but I’m curious to try it now. Maybe I just have to trust you on this one.
Yummy! But can I skip the cheese? I’m lactose intolerant.
I’m not sure this is how pasta should be, but my husband liked it. 😂
Idk, it just didn’t taste right. Felt too greasy for me.
I added sun-dried tomatoes and it was bomb!!! You should try that!!
My grandma made a similar dish but with different herbs. This tasted okay but not as good.
Used fettuccine and it turned out okay, but mine looked more like a sauce than a dish. Might need less cream? Or more cheese?
Didn’t have heavy cream, used milk instead. It worked out fine, I think.
I was skeptical at first, but it turned out better than I expected. Quick and easy.
I’m so glad it worked out for you! This recipe is a hit in my house. 😋
Quick and easy? Sounds like you didn’t need too many fancy skills. I don’t think it could be that good. 🤔
It was okay. I expected more flavor. Maybe use more pesto?
I don’t know… it was too creamy for my taste. Maybe less cream next time?
Serious question here: Can I use frozen chicken? Don’t wanna mess it up.
It was okay, but I think it needed more spice or something. A bit bland for my taste.
This was soooo good! My whole family loved it.
Chicken cooked in 5-7 minutes? Mine took longer, like 12, because I cut it too big. But once it was done, the flavor was great. Worth the wait.
Simple and easy recipe. I added some cherry tomatoes and spinach for extra color. Yum!
I burned the chicken, oops! Still tasted okay though, I guess.
I tried making this with tofu instead of chicken and it worked out fine!
Tofu? That’s interesting! I never thought it would work in a pasta dish like this. How did the texture turn out?
Ew, tofu? Why would you do that when chicken is already so good? This recipe is for chicken, not some veg stuff!
I followed the steps exactly and it came out kinda bland until I added more pepper and salt. Once seasoned, it was way better. For the pesto, I used a basil one that’s not too salty.
really easy to make but kinda bland. needs more seasoning!!
Not sure I’m sold on pesto + heavy cream together. It tasted fine, but the flavor felt kinda flat to me. Maybe I under-seasoned?
This was amazing! So creamy and delicious. My family loved it!
Made this tonight and it was soooo creamy. The pesto really pops, and the Parmesan at the end made it perfect. Will definitely repeat!
I’m not sure about the 2 minutes simmer—felt like the sauce never fully came together. Also the pesto was salty so I had to go light on the salt.
Yeah the pesto can be super salty. I skip salting at the end (use only pepper), and I only add Parmesan if it’s not already salty. Next time try a low-sodium pesto.
Totally get it—2 minutes can be too quick depending on the pan and how warm your skillet is. I usually simmer closer to 5 minutes until it looks slightly thicker and more cohesive.
Uhm, is this really a pasta recipe? Feels like a lot of sauce… not sure if I did it right.
It is a pasta recipe! The creamy sauce is what makes it special. Just give it a try! 😋
yummy!! 🙂 10/10 recommend!
I used spinach pesto instead and it was bomb! Highly recommend!
Too much cheese for my taste. Next time, I will skip it. Also, kinda salty.
I’m allergic to chicken, what can I use instead? This sounds yummy.
Way too creamy for my taste… I wanted something lighter. Also the pesto + cream combo felt kinda heavy. I’ll eat it, but probably not again.
Is 1 cup really just enough? Seems like too much pasta for the sauce!!
Yum! I used chicken thighs instead, better flavor if u ask me. Do what u like.
I didn’t have penne, so I used rice instead and it turned out alright. Do you think that’s weird?
Using rice instead of pasta? That’s kinda different, but if it works for you, go for it! Cooking is all about experimenting!
I found it too rich, maybe less cream next time. Still good, though.
chicken+ pesto= yum!
um… 2 mins simmer is not enough i think. Mine was cold in the middle and the cheese didnt melt right. Might be my stove tho.
I agree with you—2 minutes seems super short, especially if the sauce is still bubbling but the pasta/chicken isn’t really warming through together. I usually simmer 5-ish minutes on low after adding the cream and pesto, then stir in the Parmesan off the heat (or lower heat) so it melts smooth. Also your stove could totally be the culprit—medium-low makes a big difference.
I think 1 pound of chicken is too much for 12 ounces of pasta? It felt like the ratio was off and I had more chicken than sauce. I’d either reduce chicken or increase cream/pesto next time.
Pretty good, but I had to stretch it. My sauce got a little thick, so I splashed in some pasta water. Also, 2 minutes simmer wasn’t enough for me—next time I’ll do 3-4. Still tasty though!
Pretty solid. I used homemade pesto and it came out flavorful, but mine got a little thick after simmering—next time I’ll loosen with a splash of pasta water.
That sounds right—pesto + cream can thicken fast once it simmers. Pasta water is a great fix!
Quick and easy! Perfect for weeknight dinners. Will make again!
Tried this tonight—so creamy and the pesto flavor really comes through. I used homemade pesto and added extra Parmesan at the end. Super solid comfort food.
Yes!! Same experience here—once the pesto hits the cream it turns into that perfect sauce. Extra Parmesan at the end is the move.
Creamy for sure, but I dunno—mine came out kinda thick fast. I think I should’ve used less pesto or added a splash of pasta water. Still tasted good though.
I doubled the chicken and it turned out amazing. Also, brown the chicken longer for extra flavor—5 minutes wasn’t enough for my pan.
Wait, 5 minutes not enough? Mine cooks in like 3-4 with high heat 😅 maybe your pan runs cold? Either way, I’ll try longer for more flavor.
Good to know! I always worry about doubling the chicken messing up the cooking time—I’ll definitely brown mine longer than 5 minutes too.
This was a hit at my dinner party! Even the picky eaters liked it. Thanks!
I used zoodles instead of pasta and it worked amazing! Healthy twist!
That’s a great idea! I’ve never thought of using zoodles. Must try it next time.
I would never think of putting pesto with chicken like this! Thanks for the idea!
Super easy to make. My kids loved it! Will definitely make again.
This recipe sounds delicious! I’m excited to try it out for my family. Thanks for sharing!
The pesto + heavy cream combo is a winner. I added a pinch of chili flakes and it kicked it up a notch. Would absolutely make again.
Used low-fat cream instead, still good. Healthier option!
I don’t know… heavy cream + pesto + chicken sounds good but I was expecting more of a “wow” flavor. Maybe I used a mild pesto? Also I forgot to salt the chicken so it was bland at first.
Totally get that—pesto can be subtle depending on the brand. I’d definitely try seasoning the chicken first (even just salt/pepper) and maybe add a bit more Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon to make it pop. Also, simmering the cream + pesto helps it blend more.
This is one of those meals that tastes restaurant-y with minimal effort. I pan-seared the chicken a bit longer for extra browning and it was great.
WOW. Just wow. That sauce was delightful! Will make again for sure.
Super simple and quick to make, but the chicken was a bit dry. Next time I’ll marinate the chicken first. Still yummy though!
I think marinating is a great idea! I usually add some lemon juice and garlic to my chicken for extra flavor. Helps with the dryness too!
Followed the recipe exactly but it turned out way too oily for me.
Easy to make and flavorful! Great for a weeknight dinner.
I’m kinda skeptical… Is the sauce gonna be too heavy with cream? Seems like a lot.
This sounds amazing! I love pasta dishes. Can’t wait to try it!
Yum! I omitted the chicken and made it vegetarian. Still delicious!
That’s great! I’ve been trying to eat less meat too. Glad it turned out yummy for you! 👍
Really? No chicken? I thought it was kinda the point of the recipe. But if you liked it, who am I to judge? 🤷♂️
I followed the instructions and it came out bland, which surprised me. I had to add black pepper and more Parmesan to make it pop. Maybe my pesto was weak.
I thought it needed something more, like tomatoes or garlic maybe? Idk.
This is the best recipe I’ve ever tried! So creamy and flavorful!
Best part was the smell while simmering 😄 Quick weeknight dinner. 10/10 would cook again.
This was absolutely delicious! My family loved it! Will definitely make again.
I’m not sure about the cream. Do we really need it? The pesto is already pretty rich. I tried it without cream and it’s way better.
Yay! Pasta, my fave! But what is heavy cream?
5 stars! I used homemade pesto and it made a huge difference! ❤️
Pesto + cream is a cheat code. I don’t even like cooking, but this was hard to mess up. My kids asked for seconds (which is rare). 10/10 comfort food.
Yes!! Pesto + cream is such a win. I made this once and my family kept going back for more too 😂 Easy comfort food for sure.
Hmm, I’m skeptical—cream makes pesto taste kinda “thick” to me. Still, if the kids liked it then maybe I’ll try with less cream and add more parmesan… also do you cook the pesto with the chicken or just simmer after?
This pasta was amazing! The creamy sauce is so delicious. My family loved it. Will definitely make it again!
I followed the recipe step by step but it came out too oily. Maybe less olive oil next time?
Chicken was fine, but I felt like it needed more garlic or something. Store-bought pesto can be kinda meh. Wouldn’t hate adding roasted tomatoes either.
I added some veggies like spinach and it turned out great!
That’s awesome! Spinach is a great addition! I always love to sneak in some greens.
I dunno, I think adding spinach would change the whole dish. It’s called creamy chicken pesto pasta for a reason!
The chicken was a bit dry, not sure if I cooked it too long or what.
This recipe is amazing! The flavors are just right. I added some sun-dried tomatoes and it was fantastic!
Could be better. The chicken was kind of dry. Maybe cook less? 🤔
Made this for dinner last night and it was insanely good—creamy without being heavy. I used store-bought pesto and still felt fancy.
Love this! I’m always chasing “creamy but not heavy,” and pesto + cream sounds perfect. Did you add extra Parmesan at the end? I bet it got even thicker and richer.
uhh store-bought pesto can work but it depends… Mine was kinda salty so I had to go light on the parm. Still came out good tho 😅
Made this tonight and it was shockingly good—creamy without being too heavy. The pesto flavor really comes through.
Totally agree—this came out creamy but not “greasy.” The pesto flavor is legit and doesn’t get lost in the sauce. I used homemade pesto and it was 🔥.
I made it too, but mine was a little too salty maybe because I added extra parm 😅. Still tasty though. Next time I’ll probably cut back on the salt and simmer longer so it thickens more.
Absolutely loved this recipe! So creamy and delicious. Will definitely make it again!
Meh. Pesto + cream is fine but it’s kinda rich and not really a balanced meal. Also penne turned out mushy for me.
Love it!! Best pasta dish ever. 5 stars from me 🙂
Too much cream for my taste! It was like eating Alfredo sauce more than pesto. ??
This was too rich for my taste. Next time I’ll skip the cream.
I get what you’re saying! The cream can really overpower everything. Maybe try a little less next time? 🤔
This recipe sounds nice but I can’t cook! Can I just order something?
You can totally handle this! Just follow the steps. It’s not hard. 😊
Why not just order? Cooking seems like too much work for pasta. Just saying.
The sauce is creamy and nice, but it got oily for me. Maybe my pesto was very salty/greasy? I’ll try reducing the olive oil next time and see.
That sounds plausible—pesto (and sometimes the brand) can be pretty oily/salty, and combining it with heavy cream plus extra olive oil could tip it over. I like to start with a little less olive oil or even swap a bit of the cream for more pasta water to help the sauce emulsify. Hope the next batch behaves better!
Seems easy but I don’t have any pesto. Can I make it from scratch? What’s the easiest way?
Could be better. The sauce tasted bland until I added more salt and parmesan than the recipe said. Also, 2 minutes simmer wasn’t enough for me—needed longer.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about using store-bought pesto, but it worked. The chicken browned nicely and the Parmesan pulled everything together. Easy weeknight dinner.
I was skeptical too, but I agree—store-bought pesto totally saves time. The cream + Parmesan combo is doing the heavy lifting.
Made this last night and it was super comforting. The pesto + heavy cream combo tastes rich without being too heavy. I added a squeeze of lemon at the end and it really popped. Will definitely make again.
Pretty good! I think 2 minutes simmering is a little short—next time I’ll let it go 3-4 so it thickens more. Also added extra garlic because… well, why not.
idk about the heavy cream. feels heavy and kinda greasy to me. but the flavor was decent. next time i’ll use half-and-half
idk i used heavy cream and it was like… fine? maybe i stirred longer. next time try less cream or add a splash of pasta water so it don’t feel thick.
I totally get that—heavy cream can feel greasy. Half-and-half or even evaporated milk works great for a lighter texture while still keeping it creamy.
I only had half-and-half so I used that instead. Still tasty, but it wasn’t as rich—more like a light sauce than creamy. Would recommend heavy cream if you want the real vibe.
WHAT is pesto? Do I just put green stuff? I need more help here.
Pesto is like this green sauce made from basil, nuts, garlic, and olive oil. You don’t just put green stuff, you gotta mix it right! It’s super yummy though!
Good flavor, but mine got a little too thick after simmering. Next time I’ll loosen it with a splash of pasta water. Still tasty though!
I followed it pretty much exactly, but mine got a little thick. Next time I’ll loosen it with a splash of pasta water. Still delicious though—tastes like a restaurant meal.
I don’t usually cook, but this was easy to follow. My family loved it, I think I’ll try again.
So happy to hear that! The recipe is super simple and perfect for beginners. My family loves it too!
I tried this but it didn’t turn out right. The chicken was dry. Maybe I did something wrong?
Worst idea ever. I’m never making pesto cream again lol. Too much dairy.
Easy weeknight meal. I did penne and it held the sauce well. My kid even asked for seconds which never happens, so yeah, solid.
I wanna try this but I’m skeptical about the pesto + cream combo… like is it gonna taste too bitter? Also I only have half-and-half, not heavy cream—think it’ll still work?
Right?! I love when it actually clings to the pasta. I made it with penne too and the sauce stayed creamy instead of getting watery—your kid asking for seconds is the ultimate review 😄
Pretty tasty, but I think my sauce needed more simmer time. After mixing in the pasta it got a little thick, so I splashed in some pasta water.
I followed the recipe but it turned out too salty. Maybe less cheese next time?
This recipe is amazing! The pesto and cream together are magic. Will be making again for sure!
This recipe is missing something… Like, it’s good but feels kinda bland. Maybe some garlic would help?
The instructions are simple, but “to taste” always makes me nervous. I ended up under-salting because my pesto was already salty. Texture was creamy and nice, just needs careful seasoning.
Too much fuss for pasta, not worth it. Just boil and eat, amirite?
Yasss! So rich and creamy. My kids devoured it. A keeper!
I’m picky about creamy pasta and this one delivered. Chicken browned well and the flavor was balanced. Next time I’ll add spinach.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about using store-bought pesto, but it worked. The cream tames the pesto just enough. Family loved it—pepper kick was perfect.
Cooked it exactly and the cream separated a little on me when I kept it too hot. Lower heat next time and whisk/stir more, I guess.
Hmm I always thought pesto + cream just works no matter what. Maybe your cream was old or your pan was too hot, though. Did you reduce it to a full low like the recipe says? I’d try that and maybe add the cheese before it simmers so it thickens faster.
That sounds about right—cream can break if it gets too hot. I usually keep it on low and stir pretty constantly when adding dairy. Good call for lowering the heat next time!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit—creamy without being heavy, and the pesto flavor really comes through. I used store-bought pesto and still felt fancy. Will make again!
Love hearing that! I’m always amazed when pesto doesn’t turn out too rich—this sounds like the perfect balance. Do you think it would work just as well with half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical because pesto + heavy cream sounds like a weird combo, but it worked. The chicken browning step matters!
Tried it, but my chicken took longer than 7 minutes to cook. Maybe my pan was hotter/colder. The end result was ok, could be better with more time browning.
Way too much cream for my taste. I halved it and added a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce. Tasted better to me that way.
I followed the steps but my sauce got a bit too thick after simmering. I ended up adding a splash of pasta water and it fixed it.
I don’t get why everyone loves pesto. It tastes like grass to me. Still, the chicken was good so I ate it.
Pesto tastes like grass? That’s wild 😅 I think it’s the pine nuts/garlic. Try blending it with a little more cheese or even a spoon of sour cream next time—should tone it down. You didn’t hate the whole dish so that’s something!
Haha I get it—pesto can have that very “green” flavor. I usually use a milder pesto (or half pesto/half basil) and add extra Parmesan to smooth it out. Glad the chicken still worked for you though!
I followed the recipe but my sauce separated a bit when I added the cream. Not sure if my heat was too high. Still tasty though, just not as pretty.