One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Introduction

One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is your go-to solution for a weeknight meal that hits all the right notes: flavorful, filling, and incredibly quick to pull together. This dish delivers a luscious, herby pesto sauce that clings to tender chicken bites and perfectly cooked pasta — all made in a single pot for effortless cleanup. It’s a surefire crowd-pleaser, perfect for busy evenings or group dinners when you want maximum flavor with minimum fuss.

Why One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a Must-Try

What sets this recipe apart is its ability to create a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal with just one pot. The creamy pesto sauce melds beautifully with juicy chicken and al dente pasta, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that feels comforting and indulgent. It’s the ultimate combination of simplicity and sophistication—no separate pans, draining, or complicated steps required.

The Secret Behind a Silky Pesto Sauce

A blend of store-bought or homemade basil pesto, a touch of cream, and savory chicken broth forms the backbone of the sauce. As the pasta cooks directly in the sauce, it absorbs all the aromatic flavors, ensuring every bite is saturated with herby, cheesy goodness. Finishing with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese adds an extra layer of richness and ties the dish together beautifully.

Effortless One Pot Assembly

Start by sautéing the chicken to a golden perfection, building flavor right from the first step. Next, add garlic and seasonings, followed by pasta, pesto, broth, and cream—all in the same pot! Let everything simmer together until the pasta is just tender. This hands-off simmering means less time at the stove and more time to get other things done (or just relax).

Serving Suggestions for a Stunning Finish

For extra freshness, top your pasta with a handful of cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, or fresh basil right before serving. A final sprinkle of parmesan cheese and a crack of black pepper make each bowl look and taste irresistible. Pair with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a well-rounded meal that feels special with minimal effort.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This comforting recipe serves about 4 generous portions. Each serving provides a balanced mix of protein and carbs, typically with 500–600 calories per serving, depending on the exact ingredients used. It’s a satisfying main course that leaves both adults and kids happily full.

One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta (Recap)

This one-pot dish offers creamy, herby perfection in every bite, without the hassle of multiple pans. It’s fast, flavorful, and sure to earn a spot in your regular meal rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and hassle-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with half the salt and pepper, and brown on all sides, about 4–5 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Stir in uncooked pasta, basil pesto, chicken broth, and cream. Mix so the pasta is fully coated and submerged.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a medium simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and cooked through (about 10–12 minutes). If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash more broth or water.
5. Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
6. If desired, toss in cherry tomatoes and spinach until just wilted, then top with extra parmesan and fresh basil before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for both spur-of-the-moment dinners and scheduled weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to efficiently organize your week and let CookifyAI generate smart shopping lists that consolidate all your ingredients.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically tallies ingredient totals across all recipes on your plan
• Sorts your shopping list by grocery store sections for streamlined shopping
• Prevents overbuying and ensures you never forget a key ingredient
• Keeps your weeknight dinner prep smooth, quick, and stress-free

Pro tip: If you’re planning multiple meals, schedule your recipes and see ingredient overlaps (e.g., chicken or cream), so you buy exactly what you need—no more, no less.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy this easy, delicious Italian-inspired dinner and make your weekly meal planning simpler and smarter with the help of CookifyAI!