If you’re after a Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe that has been tried, tested and tested again, this is it!

If your family is anything like ours Chicken Pesto Pasta is on the menu weekly! As long as I can remember, my kids have always loved pesto … of any kind.

Their favourite pesto is home made with fresh basil, olive oil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese with salt and pepper.  Just whizz all the ingredients together in a food processor and it’s ready to go!

If we don’t have any basil growing or in the fridge, their next favourite pesto is store bought.  The Jamie Oliver Pesto is a favourite.  If that’s not available, Barilla make a pretty near perfect Pesto in our opinion.

What do we love about this Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe?

1. It’s easy!  Once you’ve made this recipe once, it will be on your forever list.  It’s basically as easy as chop the chicken, cook it in a little olive oil, slather with pesto then stir through some freshly boiled pasta and top with grated fresh parmesan cheese.
2. It’s tasty! Especially if your pesto has been freshly made.  This recipe is bursting with flavour.
3. It’s versatile!  Add a little chilli or switch out the basil for baby spinach if you don’t like basil.  And use whatever pasta you have in the cupboard – penne, spaghetti, fettucine or rigatoni.

Our tips when creating this Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe …

1. If you are using chicken breast for this recipe, don’t overcook it.  Gently fry just long enough to cook through then cover it over until you are ready to serve.
2. Add the pesto just before serving.  This will keep the pesto a beautiful bright green colour and keep the flavour sweet rather than bitter.
3. Don’t overcook the pasta.  We always aim to cook pasta until just al dente (still a little bite to it)
4. Feel free to add extra green veges to the pasta to add a little more nutrition – finely slice snow peas and add at the last minute, stir through some green beans sliced diagonally to match the penne or add a cup of baby peas.
5. Don’t forget to ‘up the veges’ and serve this with a lovely big salad full of seasonal ingredients.

Once you’ve tried this Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe, we’d love you to come back and give us your thoughts in the comments below.  

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