If you’re craving a cozy, restaurant-worthy meal but want something quick, simple, and made in a single pot, One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is your answer. This dish features juicy chicken, vibrant cherry tomatoes, rich and creamy pesto sauce, and tender pasta all simmered together for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup. With each twirl of your fork, you get a perfect balance of savory, herby, and cheesy goodness, all finished with a pop of fresh greens for a meal that feels truly special any night of the week.

One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta irresistible is just how approachable the ingredients are—simple staples that, together, create a dish bursting with flavor, color, and satisfying texture. Every element has its own little job to do, from adding a creamy finish to providing pops of freshness or a touch of savory depth.

Chicken breasts: Lean, tender pieces that soak up all the creamy, herby sauce—use bite-sized cubes for even cooking.
Olive oil: Adds richness and helps get a lovely, golden sear on the chicken.
Garlic: Freshly minced for a burst of aromatic flavor in every bite.
Chicken broth: The base for simmering everything together, giving the pasta depth and body.
Penne (or any short pasta): Sturdy enough to hold up in the sauce, capturing all the creamy, pesto goodness in each tube.
Cherry tomatoes: Halved for bright, juicy bursts of flavor and color.
Pesto (homemade or jarred): The heart of the recipe—herby, nutty, and fresh, giving the sauce its unmistakable punch.
Heavy cream: For that lush, velvety texture that makes every forkful indulgent.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, savory note and also helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
Fresh baby spinach: Wilts perfectly into the hot pasta, bringing color and a good-for-you touch.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors.
Fresh basil (optional): Chopped for garnish, it adds beautiful color and fresh aroma at serving time.

How to Make One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Brown the Chicken

Start by heating the olive oil in a deep skillet or a trusty Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your bite-sized chicken pieces, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, and let them cook undisturbed until they start to develop a gorgeous golden-brown color. This is the moment where flavor starts to build, so don’t rush it—about 5 to 6 minutes is perfect for fully cooked, juicy chicken.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

Once the chicken is cooked, add in the minced garlic. Stir constantly and cook just until the garlic becomes fragrant—about a minute. This infuses the oil and chicken with irresistible aroma without risking any bitterness from burnt garlic.

Step 3: Simmer with Pasta and Tomatoes

Pour in the chicken broth and increase the heat to bring it to a gentle boil. Stir in your pasta of choice and those cheerful cherry tomato halves. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan, and let everything cook together for 10 to 12 minutes, giving it an occasional stir to make sure nothing sticks. As the pasta cooks, it soaks up the flavorful liquid, and the tomatoes soften deliciously.

Step 4: Stir in Pesto and Cream

When the pasta is just about al dente and most of the broth is absorbed, it’s time for the magic touch. Add the pesto and the heavy cream, gently stirring everything together until the sauce becomes silky and coats every nook and cranny.

Step 5: Finish with Parmesan and Spinach

Sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan and toss in the baby spinach. The cheese will melt into the sauce, amping up the richness, while the spinach wilts perfectly in the residual heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Spoon your steaming One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh basil if you like, and serve immediately. You’ve made a weeknight wonder that’s as heartwarming as it is low stress!

How to Serve One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Garnishes

For a little extra flair, finish each plate with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, a crack of fresh black pepper, and if you have it, chopped fresh basil. This not only adds a pop of color but lifts up all the fresh flavors already nestled in your One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta.

Side Dishes

This dish is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to go all out, serve it alongside warm garlic bread to soak up every last bit of sauce or a crisp green salad tossed with a tangy vinaigrette. Simple roasted veggies or a lemony asparagus are also fantastic partners.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re entertaining or just feel like something special, swirl the pasta into little nests on each plate and top with extra tomatoes and a basil leaf. Or, serve family-style from the pot for that rustic Italian touch. For weeknight lunches, pack individual servings into containers and garnish right before eating for max freshness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The pasta might soak up more sauce as it rests, but the flavors just deepen and get better with time.

Freezing

While it’s possible to freeze portions of this dish, the texture of the cream sauce and pasta can change a bit when thawed. If freezing, cool completely and store in individual containers for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen up the sauce. Stir well and heat until just warmed through. Top off with a little extra Parmesan to freshen things up.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Main Course

Absolutely! Penne is classic, but any short pasta like fusilli, rigatoni, or rotini works beautifully in One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta—just adjust the cooking time as needed for your pasta shape.

What if I have leftover cooked chicken?

No problem—add your shredded or cubed cooked chicken after you simmer the pasta, just before stirring in the pesto and cream. This way, it warms through without drying out.

How can I make this dish vegetarian?

Simply swap the chicken for extra veggies like sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The creamy pesto sauce makes it deliciously satisfying even without meat.

Is there a dairy-free version?

You can replace the heavy cream with a nondairy milk (like oat or coconut cream), skip the Parmesan or use a vegan alternative, and ensure your pesto is dairy-free. The result is still luscious and flavorful!

What’s the best way to customize the flavor?

Try using sun-dried tomato pesto, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for heat, or toss in extra fresh herbs. You can also add a handful of toasted pine nuts or swap baby spinach for arugula for a peppery twist in your One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta.

Final Thoughts

This One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta brings together everything you love about a comforting pasta dish—rich, veggie-packed, and full of herby flavor, with practically no cleanup required. Give it a try and discover just how easy it is to make a dinner everyone will ask for again and again!

One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 6 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy a delicious and creamy one-pot pesto chicken pasta that comes together quickly for a satisfying meal. Tender chicken, cherry tomatoes, and spinach are enveloped in a flavorful pesto and cream sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil

Pasta:

8 ounces penne or your favorite short pasta
3 cups chicken broth

Additional Ingredients:

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup jarred or homemade pesto
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh baby spinach
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, brown chicken, and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: Sauté garlic until fragrant.
Cook Pasta: Add chicken broth, pasta, and tomatoes, cooking until pasta is tender.
Finish Dish: Stir in pesto, cream, Parmesan, and spinach until creamy. Season and garnish with basil.