Pesto Chicken Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes
A quick sear builds browned edges before creamy pesto coats the pasta, giving this dinner a faster route than longer baked casseroles.
25-minute pasta
23 Easy Pesto Chicken Recipes
Curated by Jessica MillerUpdated September 1, 2026
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Pesto chicken recipes suit busy cooks who want dinner on the table without a long ingredient list. The basil aroma rises as the chicken hits a hot pan, and pesto turns pasta, vegetables, breasts, and thighs into complete meals for weeknights or casual gatherings.
Choose an easy chicken pesto pasta recipe when you need speed, or look to baked pesto chicken thighs and roasted tomato dishes when the oven can do most of the work. You'll also find grilled skewers, meal prep bowls, and creamy skillet versions with different textures and serving styles.
What Are Pesto Chicken Recipes?
Pesto chicken recipes pair chicken with a basil based sauce made from herbs, oil, cheese, and nuts, then carry that mixture into pasta, baked dishes, skillet meals, or grilled preparations. The sauce may stay fresh and green or cook into a creamy coating.
Chicken should develop a browned surface before the pesto goes in, because direct high heat can darken the herbs. Look for tender meat, a fragrant basil smell, and sauce that clings rather than pools.
How to Choose the Best Pesto Chicken Recipes
Pasta recipes are the practical pick when you want a one pot or 25 minute dinner, while baked breasts and thighs leave your hands free after assembly. Grilled chicken brings smoky edges, and skewers are easier to portion for a gathering.
Choose thighs if you prefer darker meat and a more substantial bite. If you want a lighter plate, pair chicken breast or meal prep bowls with vegetables. Add pesto near the end when possible, because prolonged heat can dull its green color and fresh aroma.
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipes
Cream, pasta water, and pesto turn these chicken dinners into glossy bowls with sauces that cling to every twist and tube. They differ from the roasted and grilled recipes by putting the starch at the center of the meal, so reserve pasta water if the sauce tightens.
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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta in 30 Minutes
Smooth sauce is the focus here; chicken and pasta are folded together in a 30 minute format for a creamy family supper.
smooth cream sauce -
One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in 25 Minutes
Everything cooks in one pot, allowing the pasta to absorb pesto and chicken juices while keeping cleanup shorter than multi pan meals.
one-pot method -
Chicken Thighs Pesto Pasta with Penne
Chicken thighs add a fuller bite to penne, while the 20 minute timing makes this a faster alternative to longer tomato based pasta dishes.
20-minute thigh pasta -
Creamy SunDried Tomato Pesto Chicken Pasta
Sun dried tomatoes deepen the pesto pasta with a darker, richer sauce and a stronger tomato note than the basil only versions.
sun-dried tomato sauce -
Chicken Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes in 45 Minutes
Cherry tomatoes cut through the pesto with bright acidity, while the longer 45 minute format leaves room for a more developed family dinner.
cherry tomato pasta -
Chicken Pesto Pine Nut Pasta in 25 Minutes
Pine nuts add a toasted, nutty finish to pesto pasta, creating a topping led variation rather than another cream forward bowl.
pine nut topping -
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Tangy sun dried tomatoes keep this creamy pasta from tasting flat, adding a glossy, tomato accented variation to the weeknight noodle choices.
tangy tomato pasta
Baked and Skillet Pesto Chicken
Tomatoes, cream, and pan juices give these recipes a spoonable sauce while the chicken browns around the edges. Use this group when you want a plated main dish rather than pasta; if the sauce looks thick in the pan, loosen it before serving.
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Creamy Pesto Chicken: High-Protein Twist
Yogurt based creaminess keeps the chicken at center stage, separating this skillet style recipe from the pasta heavy choices nearby.
yogurt cream sauce -
Creamy Skillet Pesto Chicken
Butter, basil cream, and chicken breasts meet in one skillet, producing a sauce led dinner without the pasta used in several other recipes.
skillet cream sauce -
Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes in 35 Minutes
Roasted tomatoes bake alongside creamy pesto chicken, giving the oven time to concentrate their juices instead of relying on a skillet sauce.
oven-baked tomatoes -
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken in One Pan
Sun dried tomatoes build the creamy sauce around the chicken, offering a tomato forward skillet option instead of a basil only preparation.
tomato cream sauce -
Creamy Pesto Chicken Vegetables
Chicken and vegetables share a creamy pesto pan here, giving the sauce more body than the roasted vegetable version in this collection.
creamy vegetable skillet -
Baked Pesto Chicken with Grape Tomatoes
Grape tomatoes roast with baked chicken, bursting as they soften and creating a fresh tasting oven dinner without a separate cream sauce.
baked grape tomatoes
Pesto Chicken Breast and Thighs
These recipes let the chicken itself lead, from seared breasts to crisp skinned thighs and smoky grilled cuts. Thighs stay more succulent as they cook, while breasts benefit from even thickness; watch the surface closely because pesto can scorch before the meat is done.
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Baked Pesto Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin
over High heat cooking targets the skin first, so these thighs bring a browned crust and a darker meat texture to the pesto lineup.
crisp chicken skin -
Baked Pesto Chicken Breast in 25 Minutes
Chicken breast cooks quickly and takes the basil sauce directly, giving you a straightforward main without pasta or a long marinade.
25-minute breast -
Grilled Pesto Chicken Breast with Basil
Grill marks and a charred finish define this breast recipe, bringing outdoor cooking to a collection otherwise filled with stovetop and oven dishes.
grilled breast -
Juicy Pesto Chicken Thighs Grilled
A rich marinade helps grilled thighs stay moist while the grill adds smoky edges, setting this recipe apart from pan seared thigh preparations.
marinated grilled thighs -
Lemony Pesto Chicken Thighs: One Pan Roasted
Lemon sharpens the basil sauce while seared and roasted thighs bring deeper flavor, making this the citrus bright option among the thigh recipes.
lemon pesto thighs -
Ultra-Crispy Pesto Chicken Thighs
A hard pan sear targets crunchy skin before the chicken finishes cooking, giving these thighs a technique specific role beside grilled and baked versions.
hard-seared thighs
Pesto Chicken Meal Prep and Skewers
Vegetables, potatoes, and bite-sized chicken make these recipes useful for packed lunches, sheet pan dinners, or food served straight from the grill. Smaller pieces cook quickly, but they dry faster, so pull them as soon as the centers are cooked and the edges show light browning.
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Healthy Pesto Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Burst tomatoes and portioned chicken turn this recipe into four planned meals, unlike the recipes designed to be served immediately.
four lunch portions -
Pesto Chicken Vegetables with Baby Potatoes
Baby potatoes and broccoli cook with the chicken in one pan, supplying a complete vegetable dinner without a separate pasta pot.
one-pan vegetables -
Pesto Chicken Skewers with Radicchio
Bite-sized chicken and a dual glaze suit the grill and smaller portions, so this recipe can move from appetizer platter to casual dinner.
grilled skewers
Storage and Food Safety Tips for Pesto Chicken
Refrigerate cooked chicken and pasta in shallow containers within two hours, or sooner when the room is very warm. FDA guidance suggests two hours as the limit at room temperature. Keep chilled food at 40°F (4°C) or below when possible.
USDA guidance puts the safe internal temperature for chicken at 165°F (74°C). Reheat leftovers until steaming throughout, adding a splash of water to loosen pasta sauce. If the pesto smells sour, the chicken feels slimy, or mold appears, discard it.
Quick Comparison
| # | Recipes | Best For | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pesto Chicken Pasta in 25 Minutes | fast creamy pasta dinner | 25 min | Not provided |
| 2 | Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta in 30 Minutes | smooth sauce for family dinner | 30 min | Not provided |
| 3 | One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta 25m | minimal-cleanup pasta meal | 25 min | Not provided |
| 4 | Chicken Thighs Pesto Pasta in 20 Minutes | fast pasta with dark meat | 20 min | Not provided |
| 5 | SunDried Tomato Pesto Chicken Pasta (6) | rich tomato-forward pasta | Time varies | Not provided |
| 6 | Chicken Pesto Pasta in 45 Minutes | tomato-studded family pasta | 45 min | Not provided |
| 7 | Silky Chicken Pesto Pine Nut Pasta | pasta with nutty topping | Time varies | Not provided |
| 8 | Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in 30 Minutes | glossy pasta with tangy tomatoes | 30 min | Not provided |
| 9 | Creamy Pesto Chicken in 30 Minutes | creamy chicken without pasta | 30 min | Not provided |
| 10 | Skillet Pesto Chicken in 30 Minutes | single-pan creamy chicken | 30 min | Not provided |
| 11 | Creamy Pesto Chicken in 35 Minutes | oven-baked chicken with tomatoes | 35 min | Not provided |
| 12 | Sun Dried Tomato Chicken in 30 Minutes | creamy sun-dried tomato sauce | 30 min | Not provided |
| 13 | Pesto Chicken Vegetables in 30 Minutes | creamy chicken with vegetables | 30 min | Not provided |
| 14 | Baked Pesto Chicken with Grape Tomatoes | fresh baked chicken dinner | 30 min | Not provided |
| 15 | Crispy Pesto Chicken Thighs | crisp-skinned dark meat | Time varies | Not provided |
| 16 | Pesto Chicken Breast in 25 Minutes | quick chicken breast dinner | 25 min | Not provided |
| 17 | Grilled Pesto Chicken Breast for 4 | charred outdoor cooking | Time varies | Not provided |
| 18 | Pesto Chicken Thighs Grilled for 4 | marinated grilled thighs | Time varies | Not provided |
| 19 | Lemony Pesto Chicken for 4 Servings | lemon-brightened chicken thighs | 45 min | Not provided |
| 20 | Pan-Seared Crispy Pesto Chicken Thighs | hard-seared crispy thighs | Time varies | Not provided |
| 21 | Pesto Chicken Meal Prep for 4 Servings | packed work lunches | Time varies | Not provided |
| 22 | Pesto Chicken Vegetables in 25 Minutes | one-pan chicken and vegetables | 25 min | Not provided |
| 23 | Pesto Chicken Skewers in 20 Minutes | grilled appetizer portions | 20 min | Not provided |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between pesto chicken pasta and a baked chicken recipe?
Choose pasta when you want a complete bowl in about 20 to 30 minutes. Baked chicken works better when you want a hands off main dish with tomatoes or vegetables.
Can these pesto chicken recipes be prepared ahead?
Many can be prepped ahead by chopping vegetables, portioning chicken, or cooking pasta separately. Add fresh pesto near serving when possible, since its color and aroma fade with extended heating.
What sides go well with pesto chicken?
Roasted vegetables, green salad, crusty bread, and grilled corn pair naturally with pesto chicken. For pasta dishes, a simple salad adds contrast without another heavy sauce.
How do I keep chicken breasts from drying out?
Pound thick areas to an even size and avoid cooking past the recommended internal temperature. Rest the chicken briefly before slicing so the juices do not run onto the cutting board.
Are pesto chicken thighs better baked or pan seared?
Pan searing gives the skin more direct contact with heat and stronger browning. Baking is convenient for larger batches, while a sear followed by roasting combines surface color with even cooking.
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