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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Chicken Pesto with Pasta Recipe

    Modified: Jun 16, 2025 · Published: Feb 9, 2019 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

    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. 

    Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

    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.

    Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

    Chicken Pesto with Pasta

    Katy McAvoy
    Chicken Pesto with Pasta packs a lot of flavor and comes together quickly thanks to store bought pesto sauce and tangy cream cheese. 
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    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Servings 4 servings

    Equipment

    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • Chef's Knife

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium onion diced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ cup pesto
    • 3 oz plain cream cheese
    • 1-2 tablespoon milk
    • 8 oz dry rotini pasta cooked
    • 2 cups chicken cooked & shredded
    • 2 tablespoon pine nuts toasted (optional)
    • Parmesan cheese grated

    Instructions
     

    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
      1 tablespoon 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 tablespoon milk
    • Top with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese before serving.
      2 tablespoon pine nuts, Parmesan cheese

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 570kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 27gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 514mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 941IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    Tips on Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

    Can I use low fat cream cheese?

    Yes! Low fat cream cheese works great in this recipe.

    How can I meal prep with 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.

    What can I substitute for pine nuts?

    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.

    More Delicious Dinner Recipes You'll Love

    • Spinach Dip Pasta
    • Cheddar Cheese Sauce with Hidden Veggies
    • Slow Cooker Chicken & Apples
    • Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
    • Thai-Inspired Slow Cooker Chicken

    What to Drink with Chicken Pesto with Pasta

    Glasses filled with lavender bee's knees cocktails garnished with sprigs of lavender.

    Enjoy your creamy pasta dinner with a bright and refreshing Lavender Bee's Knees cocktail.

    I love when you share my recipes!

    115 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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