Red Pesto Pasta with Chicken (Ready in 15 Minutes)
Need dinner on the table fast? This Red Pesto Pasta is a 15-minute dinner made with tender chicken, pasta, and a jar of sun-dried tomato pesto. Since the chicken cooks while the pasta boils, it’s an easy, family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Red Pesto Chicken Pasta (15-Minute Dinner)
- Ready In: 15 minutes
- Serves: 4 servings
- Calories: 512 cal
- Main Ingredients: pound pasta of choice, olive oil, boneless skinless chicken breasts, kosher salt, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, garlic
- Why You'll Love It: This Red Pesto Pasta is a fast and flavorful dinner made with tender chicken, sun-dried tomato pesto, and your favorite pasta. Ready in just 15 minutes, it's an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love.
Red pesto chicken pasta became a favorite in our house after I threw it together one night with a jar of red pesto I had sitting in the pantry. Everyone loved it, and it’s been in our regular dinner rotation ever since.
Red pesto, sometimes called pesto rosso, is a sun-dried tomato-based sauce that’s richer and a little bolder than traditional green pesto. The best part is that the jar does all the work, making this one of the easiest dinners you’ll ever make.
If you enjoy easy pesto recipes, you’ll also love this chicken broccoli pasta for another family-friendly dinner and pesto pasta salad for a simple side dish or lunch option.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is the kind of dinner that’s easy enough for a busy weeknight but flavorful enough that everyone comes back for seconds. It’s ready in just 15 minutes because the pasta and chicken cook at the same time, and one skillet and one pot keep cleanup simple.
The ingredients are flexible, too. You can use chicken breasts or thighs and add cream, or skip it. Best of all, the jar does the heavy lifting, and a simple pasta water trick creates a silky sauce that feels restaurant-quality.
– Lyuda
Ingredients
- Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto: The star of the recipe. Trader Joe’s, Barilla, or your favorite store brand all work well. This one ingredient brings most of the flavor, making dinner incredibly easy.
- Chicken: Chicken breasts keep the dish lighter, while thighs add a richer flavor and stay especially juicy. Use whichever your family prefers. If you enjoy simple chicken and pasta dinners, you’ll love my lemon chicken orzo skillet.
- Pasta: Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli are great choices because they catch plenty of sauce in every bite.
- Heavy Cream: Completely optional. It adds richness, but the pasta water alone creates a delicious, silky sauce.
- Fresh Basil: Adds freshness and balances the rich flavor of the pesto.
- Parmesan Cheese: A simple finishing touch that adds extra savory flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Make It Gluten-Free: Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta and cook it just until al dente so it holds its shape and still works well with the sauce.
- Try Another Protein: Swap the chicken for shrimp, Italian sausage, or even rotisserie chicken to save time and change up the flavor while keeping the same quick cooking method.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in baby spinach, roasted red peppers, zucchini, or halved cherry tomatoes for extra color, texture, and a boost of nutrition in every bite.
- Make It Creamier: Use the heavy cream and finish with an extra sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a richer, more indulgent sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Vegetarian red pesto pasta: Leave out the chicken and add white beans, chickpeas, or extra vegetables for a hearty vegetarian version that still feels satisfying and complete.
How to Make Chicken Red Pesto Pasta
One reason this creamy chicken pesto pasta comes together so quickly is that the pasta and chicken cook at the same time. To get started, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining, reserve at least 1 cup of the pasta water, as it plays a big role in creating the sauce.
Step 1: Cook the Chicken.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet and cook the seasoned chicken until lightly golden and nearly cooked through. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant.
Step 2: Build the Sauce.
Add the red pesto and heavy cream (if using) to the skillet with the chicken and stir until combined.
Step 3: Add the Pasta.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add the reserved pasta water a splash at a time while tossing until the sauce is silky and clings to the pasta.
Step 4: Finish and Serve.
Stir in the basil, then serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. For a simple side, serve with a fresh garden salad and my garlic lemon vinaigrette.
If you enjoy easy weeknight meals, you’ll also love my Korean beef bowls and sweet potato and turkey skillet.
Expert Tips
- Cook the chicken while the pasta boils. Cooking both at the same time is what makes this a true 15-minute dinner.
- Reserve more pasta water than you think you’ll need. It’s the easiest way to create a silky sauce without adding extra cream.
- Don’t rinse the pasta. The starch left on the noodles helps the sauce cling to every bite.
- Taste your pesto before seasoning. Some brands are saltier than others, so you may want to reduce the salt added to the chicken.
- Leave the golden bits in the skillet. Those browned pieces add extra flavor when everything is tossed together.
- Storing and Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce and bring it back to life.
Serving Suggestions
This red pesto pasta is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick but still want a comforting, family-friendly dinner. It also works well for casual dinners or when you’re feeding a crowd since it comes together fast and pairs easily with simple sides.
Serve it with garlic bread or broccoli cheddar biscuits, and a fresh green salad with balsamic basil vinaigrette. For entertaining, it also pairs nicely with my avocado cucumber and corn salad.
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Pesto Pasta
If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out – a star rating or a note in the comments helps others find the recipe and helps me know what’s working in your kitchen. Tag me @gracefilledkitchen in your photos on social media so I can see your creations.
Red Pesto Chicken Pasta (15-Minute Dinner)
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve at least 2/3 cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and season with the salt, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly golden and nearly cooked through.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Add the drained pasta, sun-dried tomato pesto, and heavy cream (if using) to the skillet. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Gradually stir in the reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. If omitting the cream, add a little extra pasta water as needed.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh basil. Serve immediately topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Cook the chicken while the pasta boils to keep this a true 15-minute dinner.
- Reserve plenty of pasta water before draining, since it helps create a silky sauce.
- Add the pasta water gradually while tossing to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Taste the pesto before adding extra salt, as some jarred versions are already well seasoned.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out.
Leave a comment and star rating below!
If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out.
Leave a comment and star rating below!