Chicken Pesto with Pasta Recipe
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With an easy creamy pesto sauce, Chicken Pesto with Pasta is an easy weeknight meal and one of my favorite ways to use rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken.
This recipe was inspired by one of my husband’s favorite dishes, Rotini con Pollo, at Bistro Bella Vita in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Store bought pesto sauce and tangy cream cheese bring big flavor with a short amount of cooking time.
Chicken Pesto with Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup pesto
- 3 oz plain cream cheese
- 1-2 Tbsp milk
- 8 oz dry rotini pasta, cooked
- 2 cups chicken, cooked & shredded
- 2 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted (optional)
- Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.1 Tbsp olive oil
- Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is transparent.1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Stir pesto and cream cheese into onions and garlic.½ cup pesto, 3 oz plain cream cheese
- Once cream cheese has melted, add chicken and pasta.2 cups chicken, 8 oz dry rotini pasta
- Stir to combine.
- Add in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until sauce reaches desired consistency.1-2 Tbsp milk
- Top with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese before serving.2 Tbsp pine nuts, Parmesan cheese
Equipment
Tips on Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Yes! Low fat cream cheese works great in this recipe.
Speed up your cooking time and buy pesto at the store. I like the fresh pesto found in the refrigerator section of my local grocery store. You can also make the chicken ahead of time, so it’s done and ready to go the night you want to make this dish.
The pine nuts can be left out, but I highly recommend adding them in as they add a great crunch and texture to the dish. You can also use toasted walnuts if you don’t like pine nuts or don’t have any on hand.
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What to Drink with Chicken Pesto with Pasta
Enjoy your creamy pasta dinner with a bright and refreshing Lavender Bee’s Knees cocktail.
