• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Get our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide
freezer meal quick start guide

Get Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide

About
Free Resources
Contact

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

Thriving Home

Food & Lifestyle

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Sides & Salads
      • Soups & Chilis
      • Appetizers
      • Snacks
      • Desserts
      • Baked Goods
      • Beverages
      • Condiments
    • Method
      • Freezer Meals
      • Stovetop
      • Oven
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Grill or Smoker
      • 6 Ingredients or Less
    • Diet
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
      • Vegetarian
    • Ingredients
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta & Pizza
    • Holiday
      • Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
    • All Recipes
  • Freezer Cooking
    • Start Here
    • Freezer Meal Recipes
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Cookbooks
  • Menu Plans
  • Shop
    • Cookbooks
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Shop Our Favorites
    • Gift Guides
Search...
Home Recipe Index Chicken & Turkey

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Updated: 4/20/22
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Chicken Pesto Pasta Basil. If there’s one thing I think is worth planting in your garden, a mulch bed or a pot, basil is it. I use it on pizzas, pasta dishes, in marinades, but most importantly in PESTO. In fact, my husband calls pesto my other lover. For those who have the pesto-loving gene, you know the robust and addicting flavor. Maybe, like me, you salivate just at the name of your lover pesto. Now, parents, let’s discuss kids and pesto for a minute. Reality is that pesto is green. And green foods are automatically suspect to little people. Last week was one of the first times I’ve made it with my 3, 5, and 7-year-olds. Then I daringly offered green pasta to them for dinner. Oh, I’m crazy like that. Low and behold, though, Chicken Pesto Pasta was a great success with all but my pesto-repulsed (maybe just jealous?) husband. I shall not speak his name here. If you want to get your kids to delve into the world of pesto, here’s how it worked in our house: a) The kids helped me plant our garden. They’ve been an active part of watering our basil and other plants for a few months already this season. By gardening with me and my mom over the years, the children have felt ownership over our produce. And they have tried so many new foods as a result. It really does work. b) I had my kiddos pick the basil and help me measure out all the ingredients. We also all taste-tested the pine nuts, which they actually liked. This is one of those other tricks you’ve probably heard a million times, but getting the kids to cook with you often results in an expanded palette. c) We nicknamed the Chicken Pesto Pasta “Green Alien Pasta” and my kids thought it was hilarious. I’m not suggesting you trick your kids, but this just made the dinner fun. Honestly, though, this simple Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe is delicious without all the fanfare. If your kids will give it one try, I think they’ll be hooked. And so will you. One last point that you know I have to slip in is that pesto is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat this summer. Healthy fats from the olive oil and pine nuts and antioxidants from the basil and garlic make pesto a winner. So eat up…in moderation! Pesto is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Healthy fats from the olive oil and pine nuts and antioxidants from the basil and garlic make this meal a winner.

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Pesto is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Healthy fats from the olive oil and pine nuts and antioxidants from the basil and garlic make this meal a winner!

Yield: 8 1x
Prep: 15 minutesCook: 15 minutesTotal: 30 minutes
Print Recipe Rate Pin for Later
  • Email
Scale:

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound whole wheat rotini pasta, cooked according to package directions
  • 2, seasoned and grilled chicken breasts, diced

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

  1. Combine the basil, garlic, pine nuts and cheese in a food processor or high-speed blender and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  2. Toss the pesto with the cooked pasta and grilled, diced chicken. Top with more Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
© Author: Thriving Home
Cuisine: Italian Method: Stove Top

Did you make this?

Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Rate Recipe

Tag Us on Instagram

26 shares
  • Share
  • Email
Rachel Tiemeyer

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

Read more...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. AvatarSheryl Brock says

    Posted on 6/26/14 at 3:58 pm

    Rachel, I am also a basil fanatic… I add it to smoothies for an extra kick of freshness. So good!

    Reply
    • RachelRachel says

      Posted on 6/27/14 at 9:57 pm

      Wow, bold move with the smoothie. You are a fanatic! Love it.

      Reply

sidebar

polly and rachel

Welcome

We’re moms, cookbook authors, and freezer cooking evangelists. Our mission is to help your home thrive, one delicious meal at a time. Let’s make the most of your time in the kitchen! Read more.

Follow Us On Instagram!

freezer cooking

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Autographed Copy

Learn More

freezer to table

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Autographed Copy

Learn More
freezer meal quick start guide

Get Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide!

5 days of our best recipes & pro tips from freezer meal experts.

Reader Favorites

marinades for chicken breasts in freezer bags

7 BEST Chicken Marinades (+ Printable Recipe Cheat Sheet)

freezer meal

The 70+ Best Freezer Meals on the Planet

20 Delicious Crockpot Meals for a Crowd

smoothie packs

7 Frozen Smoothie Packs (+ Printable with Shopping List)

freezer meal update
New to freezer cooking?

Grab Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide!

5 days of recipes & tips from freezer meal experts.

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

About
About Us
Work With Us
Press
Recipes
All Recipes
Freezer Meals
Menu Plans
Shop
Cookbooks
1 Hour Prep Sessions
Gift Guides
Explore
Free Resources
Shop Our Favorites
Facebook Group
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
Contact
© 2022 Thriving Home
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
26 shares