This is THE BEST chicken pasta dish EVER! Made with a creamy pesto sauce with grilled chicken, it is absolutely full of flavor and a family friendly dinner idea. Grilled chicken pesto pasta is the perfect tasty and easy dinner!
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Just in the last few weeks I posted my go-to recipe for homemade basil pesto. If you didn't get a chance go and check it out here. You will not be disappointed.
Now you wonder, what should I make with pesto? There are so many recipe ideas with pesto out there! Not only is pesto delicious on toasted bread, it can also be an amazing condiment on sandwiches, or a dip for veggies as well. But what I love to make with pesto is Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta.
I used to work at an Italian restaurant as a server in college and my take home meal at the end of the night what usually this very thing. Now I make it at home for my kids and they love it!
🥘 Ingredients
The ingredients for this grilled chicken pesto pasta recipe are:
- chicken breasts
- pesto (either homemade pesto or store bought)
- butter
- all-purpose flour
- whole milk
- parmesan cheese
- salt
- ground black pepper
- prepared pasta (spaghetti, linguine or penne)
🔪 Instructions
How to prepare grilled chicken pesto pasta:
Take the chicken breasts and sprinkle them with salt and pepper to taste. Fire up the grill and throw them on. You will want to grill them until they are done and have good grill marks on the outside. I don't know how long, my husband does the grilling.
While the chicken is on the grill take a deep skillet and melt the butter in it. Add the flour, stirring it around, let it cook out that raw flour taste for a minute or so. You are making what is called a roux and it will thicken up the suaces.
When it's bubbly, slowly whisk in the milk, about ½ cup at a time. Don't let it boil, but let it thicken up as you whisk it in.
After the milk is slowly added, keep whisking at medium heat until it thickens to the right consistency. It will be thicker than milk, but not too thick, you will want it to coat your spoon.
Add the Parmesan and the pesto, salt and fresh cracked pepper and let it cook down for another 3-5 minutes. Don't let it boil.
Add the drained, al dente pasta to the pesto sauce and toss together.
When the chicken is done, cut it into strips and serve it over the pasta with extra pesto. ENJOY!
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📖 Recipe
Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 5-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb prepared pasta linguine or spaghetti or penne
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoon flour
- 2½-3 cups whole milk
- ½ cup pesto homemade or store bought
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teas salt
- ½ teas fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Salt and pepper the chicken breasts
- Grill on medium heat until cooked through and grill marks on both sides
- Meanwhile prepare the basil sauce
- In deep skillet melt the butter and add the flour, whisking for 1-2 minutes
- When bubbly, slowly whisk in the whole milk, about ½ cup at a time. Don't let it boil but let it get thick before adding the next ½ cup
- Keep adding the milk until it is all incorporated. Cook on medium heat, whisking frequently, for another 5-10 minutes so it can thicken up. Do not let it boil
- Whisk in the Parmesan cheese, pesto and salt and pepper. Let it cook for another 5 minutes or so.
- Add the drained, al dente pasta to the pesto sauce and toss together.
- When the chicken is done, cut into strips and put on top of the pasta
- Serve with extra pesto if desired.
Elaina
This looks so good! Definitely trying this recipe this week 😃
Sabrina DeWalt
I see this in my life soon!
Kristin
We are ALWAYS looking for new chicken dinners to try out. This one looks fantastic and a winner for the whole family.
Emily A
It is! And it's easy as well!
Lisa S
This looks delicious!
Rachel
This looks so yummy! Thanks so much
Leeandra
This looks delicious! Pasta is my favorite and I enjoy learning new dishes to make with it.
Angela
This looks amazing and I can easily make it gluten-free or even grain-free with some spaghetti squash.
Emily A
Yes you can!! It is super delish!
Cindy Mailhot
mmmm.... this looks delicious.
Michele
I loved finding new recipes with chicken and this looks delicious. Thanks!
Megan
Made this tonight and it was SO good. I even made it GF/Dairyfree with almond milk and corn starch, and it still turned out great!!
Emily Ackerman
I'm so glad you liked it and were able to adjust the recipe! It is a family favorite in our house for sure
sunnysusan
Chicken dinners are always on our list of new dishes to try. We've got to try this one because it looks delicious.
Emily Ackerman
It's a family favorite here!