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Chicken Pesto Spaghetti is packed with fresh flavour and comes together in no time, making it the perfect weeknight dinner. Juicy chicken, al dente pasta, and vibrant basil pesto coat every bite in comfort and freshness.
This chicken pesto pasta recipe isn’t just easy, it’s the kind of dish that turns heads at the table. Whether you call it pesto spaghetti with chicken or simply your new go-to pasta night favourite, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast.
What Makes This Recipe Work
This Chicken Pesto Spaghetti is full of flavour and ready in under 30 minutes. The juicy chicken brings protein and heartiness, while the basil pesto coats the spaghetti in a creamy, garlicky sauce that clings to every strand.
Simple, quick, and satisfying, this chicken pesto pasta recipe is ideal for busy weeknights but special enough to serve when you want an easy twist on classic pesto spaghetti with chicken.
What Goes Into Chicken Pesto Spaghetti
This Chicken Pesto Spaghetti keeps things simple with fresh, vibrant flavours and pantry staples. A few quality ingredients are all you need to make this pasta shine.
- Spaghetti: The perfect base for soaking up all that herby basil pesto. You can use any pasta shape you love.
- Grilled Pesto Chicken: Juicy chicken breasts seasoned with pesto add protein and depth, turning this into a complete meal.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with sweetness, they balance the richness of the pesto and bring colour to every bite.
- Basil Pesto: Whether homemade or store-bought, pesto is the star of this dish, coating the pasta with fresh garlic, herb, and nutty parmesan flavour.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Chicken Pesto Spaghetti
- Boil the Pasta: Cook spaghetti in a large pot of well salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Coat the Chicken: Smother chicken fillets with about 2 tablespoons basil pesto per breast. Season with salt and pepper.
- Grill Option: Preheat a barbecue plate, grill pan, or skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through, then grill tomatoes until softened and lightly browned.
- Oven Option” Preheat oven to 350°F | 180°C and line a baking dish with foil. Bake chicken for 30 minutes, add tomatoes around the fillets, then bake 20 minutes more until chicken is no longer pink.
- Toss the Spaghetti: Add remaining pesto to the cooked spaghetti with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss over low heat until glossy and well combined.
- Slice and Serve: Slice chicken and arrange over the spaghetti with the tomatoes. Spoon over a little extra pesto and finish with freshly grated parmesan.
Chicken Pesto Spaghetti pairs perfectly with a side of Garlic Cheese Bread or a melty Spinach and Ricotta Grilled Cheese. For something lighter, a crisp Greek Salad adds freshness, while Creamy Pumpkin and Spinach Soup with Crispy Bacon brings cozy comfort to the table.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, while spaghetti is classic, you can make this chicken pesto pasta recipe with penne, linguine, or even zoodles for a lighter option.
Both work beautifully. Homemade pesto adds a fresher flavour, but a good quality store-bought pesto makes this pesto spaghetti with chicken extra quick and convenient.
Reserve a little pasta water and toss it through the spaghetti with the pesto. It helps create a silky sauce that clings to every strand.
Basil Pesto Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 14 ounces spaghetti dry weight, or pasta of choice
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 4 grilled pesto chicken breasts use this recipe
- 17 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup homemade basil pesto or store bought pesto
- 1 pinch parmesan cheese freshly grated, to serve
Instructions
- Boil spaghetti according to packet directions in salted water. Drain; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Meanwhile, cook pesto chicken and tomatoes using this recipe.
- Add pesto mixture to the cooked spaghetti with 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss over low heat until well combined. Divide amongst serving bowls. Slice chicken breasts and arrange over the spaghetti. Top with parmesan. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Wow ! SOOOO good !!! Wet brined the chicken breast, pounded flat , and covered with mayo and pepper and through on the grill. The pesto sauce we made fresh per Karina’s encouragement , this is a BIG time keeper.
This recipe is definitely a keeper. It’s simple to make, yet so delicious. Even my son who is a picky eater, gave it the thumbs up.
Perfect, ty for a good recipe!
Wow! Another awesome recipe! My husband and I have loved every one of your recipes that I have tried. I am diabetic and they are perfect for me. Every dish is easy, flavorful, healthy and downright delicious! Keep up the good work!!!