Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is an easy one-pan dinner that combines tender seasoned chicken, fresh broccoli and spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich three-cheese pesto cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want restaurant-quality comfort food that the whole family will love!
Leave a Comment
Published: 8/21/25
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
* {
transition: unset !important
}
#savetherecipe .formkit-form .seva-fields.formkit-fields button:hover {
background-color: #000 !important;
color: #314089 !important;
}
#savetherecipe .formkit-form .formkit-guarantee {
display: none
}
@media (max-width: 555px){
#savetherecipe .formkit-form .seva-fields.formkit-fields button {
flex: 25% !important;
}
}
@media (max-width: 434px) {
#savetherecipe .formkit-form .seva-fields.formkit-fields {
display: grid !important
}
#savetherecipe .formkit-form .seva-fields.formkit-fields .formkit-field {
flex: 100% !important;
width: 100%;
margin-right: 0 !important;
min-width: auto;
}
#savetherecipe .formkit-form .seva-fields.formkit-fields button {
width: 100%;
flex: 100% !important;
min-width: auto;
}
}
]]>
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is one of my go-to dishes when I want something hearty and delicious. It has tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy pesto sauce that makes everything taste amazing. This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want good food without too much work, and everything cooks in one pan.
What is Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta?
This is pure comfort food for me and my family. It’s chicken pieces, rigatoni pasta, broccoli, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes all mixed together in a creamy pesto sauce. What makes this dish special is using three different cheeses — ricotta makes it smooth, mozzarella gives you that nice melt, and Parmesan adds great flavor. I’ve been making this for years, ever since my youngest started eating “real food,” and it’s become one of our Sunday dinner favorites.
Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken breasts — I cut these into small pieces so they cook evenly and the kids can eat them easily
Rigatoni pasta — the tube shape holds the sauce really well, and my kids love “pasta tubes”
Carnation Everyday Creamer — this makes the sauce super smooth and is always in my fridge
Fresh broccoli — I cook it first to keep it bright green, which helps get the kids to eat their vegetables
Baby spinach — cooks quickly and adds nice color
Sun-dried tomatoes — these add lots of flavor
Basil pesto — this is what makes the dish taste so good. I usually buy the good stuff from the store
Ricotta cheese — makes the sauce creamy without being too heavy
Mozzarella cheese — melts perfectly and the kids love the stretchy cheese
Parmesan cheese — adds that cheesy flavor we all love
Fresh garlic — I use lots because my family loves garlic in everything
Chicken broth — helps make the sauce the right thickness
Olive oil and butter — for cooking everything
Seasonings — garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
How to Make Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Cook the broccoli
I start by cooking the broccoli in boiling salted water for about 1½ minutes. This keeps it nice and green, and the kids won’t complain that it’s too mushy.
Cook the pasta
I use the same water for the pasta — less dishes to wash! I always save a cup of the pasta water before I drain it. My mom taught me this trick years ago.
Cook the chicken
I season the chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then I cook it in olive oil until it’s golden brown. Make sure not to crowd the pan, or it won’t get that nice golden color.
Make the sauce base
In the same pan, I melt butter with olive oil, then add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. This is when everyone in the house knows dinner is almost ready because it smells amazing.
Add pesto and broth
I mix in the chicken broth and pesto until it’s all smooth. Sometimes I let the kids help with this part.
Make it creamy
I add the creamer, ricotta, and Parmesan. Stir it all together and watch it become this beautiful creamy sauce that makes everyone happy.
Add vegetables
Put the broccoli back in and add the spinach. The spinach cooks really fast, which is perfect because I’m usually rushing to get dinner on the table.
Put it all together
Add the chicken and pasta back to the pan and mix everything together. If it’s too thick, add some of that pasta water you saved. This always reminds me why my mom’s tricks work so well.
Finish it off
Add the mozzarella and mix until it melts. The kids always get excited when they see the cheese melting!
Useful Tips
Save that pasta water — my mom taught me this and it really works
Cut the chicken pieces the same size so they cook evenly
Good pesto makes a big difference. I learned this the hard way with cheap pesto
Don’t cook the spinach too long or it gets mushy and the kids notice
Taste it before adding more salt since Parmesan is already salty
If you’re making this ahead for meal prep, don’t cook the pasta all the way
How I Like to Serve This
I usually make some garlic bread because my family devours it, and a simple salad to make myself feel better about all the cheese we’re eating. Sometimes I’ll have a glass of white wine after the kids are in bed. This pasta is filling enough that even my teenage son says he’s full, which is saying something!
Why This Recipe Works So Well
I love how everything comes together perfectly, and more importantly, my whole family loves it. The chicken stays tender, the vegetables keep their color, and that sauce is just amazing. Using one pan means less cleanup, which is always a win in my book. My wife always says this tastes like restaurant food, which makes me feel pretty good about my cooking.
What Goes Well With This
Garlic Bread — my family’s favorite, perfect for getting every bit of that sauce
Green Bean Salad — helps me feel less guilty about all the cheese
Roasted Broccoli — if you want more veggies on the side
Caesar Salad — my wife’s choice when we want to make it feel fancy
Common Questions
Can I use different pasta?
Sure! Penne or shells work great too. My kids prefer the tube shapes because they’re fun to eat.
What if I don’t have that creamer?
Heavy cream or half-and-half work just fine. I’ve used both when I ran out of creamer.
Can I make this without chicken?
Yes! Just use vegetable broth instead.
How long do leftovers last?
About 3 days in the fridge. My kids actually like eating the leftovers cold.
Watch How to Cook Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
This recipe has become such a family favorite that I make it at least twice a month. There’s something special about a dish that makes everyone at the table happy, from my picky eater to my teenage son who’s always hungry. Give it a try — I think your family will love it as much as mine does!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Tender chicken and rigatoni pasta tossed in a creamy basil pesto sauce with broccoli, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Topped with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses
Equipment
Large pot For boiling pasta and blanching broccoli
Large skillet For cooking chicken and making sauce
Slotted spoon For removing broccoli from boiling water
Measuring cups and spoons For accurate ingredient measurements
Whisk For combining pesto and broth
Instructions
Bring water to a boil. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 1 ½ minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
1.5 cups broccoli florets, 1.5 quarts water, salt and pepper
Add pasta to the same boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain and set aside.
1 lb rigatoni pasta
Season chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 5 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter and add remaining olive oil. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the sun-dried tomato, sauté for 30 seconds.
3 tablespoons butter, 5 tablespoons olive oil, 6 cloves garlic, 0.5 cup sun dried tomato
Pour chicken broth and whisk in pesto until well combined.
0.5 cup chicken broth, 0.5 cup basil pesto
Stir in Carnation Everyday Creamer and add ricotta and parmesan cheeses, and stir until melted and smooth.
400 ml Carnation Everyday Creamer, 0.5 cup ricotta cheese, 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
Return the broccoli and add spinach.
1.5 cups broccoli florets, 1 cup spinach
Add the chicken and pasta. Toss until coated evenly with the sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 lb rigatoni pasta
Add mozzarella cheese and more parmesan as needed. Toss.
0.5 cup mozzarella cheese, 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot. Share and enjoy!
Notes
Pasta water: Always reserve some starchy pasta water – it’s the secret to a silky smooth sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
Cheese substitutions: Feel free to substitute the ricotta with cream cheese or mascarpone for a different flavor profile.
Vegetable variations: Asparagus, bell peppers, or mushrooms work wonderfully in place of or in addition to the broccoli and spinach.
Storage: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to restore creaminess.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 1008kcal (50%) Carbohydrates: 70g (23%) Protein: 47g (94%) Fat: 61g (94%) Saturated Fat: 27g (135%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 19g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 189mg (63%) Sodium: 709mg (30%) Potassium: 1130mg (32%) Fiber: 5g (20%) Sugar: 9g (10%) Vitamin A: 2529IU (51%) Vitamin C: 28mg (34%) Calcium: 334mg (33%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
Did you make this?
Tag @PanlasangPinoy on Instagram and be sure to leave a rating!
