Best 9 Chicken Pesto Sauce Recipes

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Chicken pesto sauce is a flavorful and versatile sauce that can be used to enhance a variety of dishes. With its vibrant green color and nutty, herbaceous flavor, pesto sauce adds a delectable touch to chicken, pasta, vegetables, and even sandwiches. The combination of fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, and pine nuts, along with a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or an impressive dish to serve at a dinner party, chicken pesto sauce is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PHENOMENAL CHICKEN AND PASTA IN CREAMY PESTO SAUCE



Phenomenal Chicken and Pasta in Creamy Pesto Sauce image

An extremely delicious meal: the crunch of pine nuts and the tang of sun-dried tomatoes combine with chicken and pasta in a heavenly pesto cream sauce. Be sure to taste and salt before serving, because depending on what kind of chicken broth you use, the dish may require no salt at all or may be extremely under-salted.

Provided by GILL846

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Chicken

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 cups fresh basil
3 cloves garlic
⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup pine nuts
1 medium ripe tomato, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup chicken broth
1 cup white wine
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 (16 ounce) package dried penne pasta
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 large onion, diced
1 tablespoon sugar
½ (8 ounce) jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
⅓ cup pine nuts
½ cup white wine
1 cup heavy cream
salt to taste

Steps:

  • Place basil, garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts, and tomato in a food processor. Gradually add olive oil, while pulsing, until mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • In a bowl, stir together chicken broth, 1 cup white wine, dried basil, oregano, and minced garlic. Stir in chicken pieces.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions, and sprinkle with sugar. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, and cook about 3 minutes. Stir in chicken and marinade. Stir in 1/2 cup white wine. Simmer chicken pieces, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
  • Add pasta and pesto to the skillet. Stir in cream, and cook until the sauce is thickened. Adjust salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 943 calories, Carbohydrate 71.1 g, Cholesterol 126.7 mg, Fat 49.9 g, Fiber 5.7 g, Protein 45.7 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, Sodium 220.6 mg, Sugar 7.5 g

CHICKEN FETTUCCINE WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE



Chicken Fettuccine with Pesto Cream Sauce image

Use our Basil Pesto to whip up this crowd-pleasing creamy pasta dish.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (6 to 8 ounces each)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound fettuccine
4 cubes (1/2 cup) frozen Basil Pesto
1/4 cup heavy cream

Steps:

  • Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap. With a meat mallet or heavy skillet, pound chicken to an even 3/4-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet; cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Slice each piece across the grain into 4 or 5 strips; cover to keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water. Drain pasta and return to pot.
  • In a small saucepan, heat pesto over low until liquefied. Stir in cream; heat until warm. Toss pasta with reserved cooking water and half the sauce. Divide among shallow bowls; top with chicken. Drizzle with remaining sauce.

LINGUINE WITH CHICKEN AND SPICY PESTO SAUCE



Linguine with Chicken and Spicy Pesto Sauce image

Categories     Chicken     Herb     Pasta     Pepper     Sauté     Summer     Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/3-inch-wide strips
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons minced seeded jalapeño
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/2 cup purchased pesto
12 ounces linguine
Additional chopped fresh cilantro
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet and sauté until cooked through and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer chicken to bowl. Add green onions, 1/3 cup cilantro, pecans, garlic, jalapeño and dried red pepper to same skillet. Sauté until green onions wilt, about 2 minutes. Add pesto, chicken and any accumulated juices; stir to blend. Remove from heat.
  • Meanwhile, cook linguine in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid.
  • Bring sauce to simmer. Add linguine and reserved cooking liquid to sauce and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with additional cilantro. Serve, passing Parmesan separately.

GRILLED CHICKEN RIGATONI WITH PESTO ALFREDO SAUCE



Grilled Chicken Rigatoni With Pesto Alfredo Sauce image

This is one of my favorites. Great with a crusty loaf of french bread! Would also be tasty with shrimp or scallops instead of the chicken. You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking. The cooking time is for the rigatoni. I give directions for grilling the chicken with an indoor grill, but you can grill or cook the chicken any way you prefer.

Provided by ChipotleChick

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 40m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups 2% low-fat milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons flour
6 tablespoons fresh grated parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon white pepper (or black)
1/4 cup prepared pesto sauce
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup dry julienned sun-dried tomato
1 tomatoes, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt, to taste

Steps:

  • Cook the rigatoni according to package directions. Drain, place back in the pot, and stir in the olive oil (to avoid sticking).
  • Grill the chicken breasts on an indoor grill, 6 minutes per side or until juices run clear. Cut into strips.
  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Slowly whisk in the flour until smooth and pasty.
  • Add milk gradually, whisking well after each small addition, then until no clumps can be seen.
  • Add the sundried tomatoes.
  • Heat over medium, whisking constantly, until heated and thick (sauce will thicken the more you cook it).
  • Add the pesto sauce and mix well.
  • Sprinkle the parmesan in, and whisk.
  • Add the crushed garlic,chopped tomato, white (or black) pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • Remove from heat, and add salt to taste.
  • Pour over rigatoni, mix and serve!

CHICKEN WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE



Chicken with Pesto Cream Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Yield 2 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 chicken breasts (3 ounces each), cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt and black pepper
1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 cup prepared pesto
½ cup white wine
1½ cups heavy cream
Penne or fettuccine, cooked and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. Spray skillet with cooking spray. Season chicken with salt and black pepper, as desired. Cook chicken over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes, until no longer pink in center. Remove from pan; set aside. 2. Cook bell pepper in skillet 3 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Return chicken to skillet. 3. Stir pesto into skillet. Add wine and cream. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally. 4. Add pasta; stir. Toss pasta with chicken and bell peppers. Serve warm, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

TUSCAN CHICKEN TENDERS WITH PESTO SAUCE



Tuscan Chicken Tenders with Pesto Sauce image

Golden bites of breaded chicken? You can't go wrong! A green and red pesto sauce for dipping adds a flavorful accent and festive color. Serve the little tenders warm or at room temperature. -Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1-1/4 cups cornflake crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup 2% milk, divided
24 chicken tenderloins
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup prepared pesto
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 plum tomato, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a shallow bowl, mix cornflake crumbs, 1/4 cup cheese and salt. Place 1/4 cup milk in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken in milk, then in crumb mixture, patting to help coating adhere. Place on greased racks in two foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pesto, garlic powder, pepper and remaining milk and cheese; top with tomato and basil. Serve with chicken.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 511 calories, Fat 34g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 826mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 36g protein.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA AND CHICKEN WITH PESTO SAUCE



Angel Hair Pasta and Chicken with Pesto Sauce image

I serve with Tossed or Cesar salad. Enjoy this quick, easy, healthy and delicious dinner for 4. You can double the recipe for a larger group.

Provided by Liz Owen

Categories     Pasta

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 pkg angel hair pasta 16 oz pkg
1 pkg knorr pesto sauce
1 pkg tyson grilled chicken strips (precooked)
1 tsp fresh garlic
1/4 tsp dry basil
1/4 tsp dry thyme
1/4 tsp dry rosemary
1/2 c grape tomatoes cut in half
1/4 c chopped fresh spinach
2 Tbsp olive oil

Steps:

  • 1. Follow cooking directions on Knorr Pesto Sauce Package. In a medium skillet on medium to low heat, add in the Olive Oil, Garlic, spices and chicken. Cook together until hot and the spices have blended together with the chicken, about 5 to 10 minutes. Follow cooking directions on Angel Hair Pasta.
  • 2. Once pasta is ready, drained and back in the pan, add the Tomatoes, Chopped Spinach, Chicken mix then pour the sauce over all and toss together over low heat approx 2 to 3 minutes.

GINGER SCALLION PESTO CHICKEN W LEMON GINGER SAUCE



Ginger Scallion Pesto Chicken w Lemon Ginger Sauce image

Unique and good

Provided by barbara lentz

Categories     Chicken

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 15

GINGER SCALLION PESTO
1 c scallions sliced
2 Tbsp ginger grated
1 tsp salt
1 c vegetable oil
CHICKEN
4 boneless chicken thighs
salt and pepper
LEMON GINGER SAUCE
1 lemon juiced and zested
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp grated ginger
1 c chicken stock
2 Tbsp cornstarch
4 Tbsp water

Steps:

  • 1. To make the pesto. Add the scallions, ginger and salt to food processor. Turn on processor and drizzle in the oil. Process until well blended. Place the chicken pieces in the pesto and let marinate 1 hour.
  • 2. Remove chicken from marinade and broil turning and basting with the pesto until no longer pink inside.
  • 3. For the lemon ginger sauce. Combine the lemon juice and zest, honey, ginger and chicken stock in a small saucepan. Bring to boil. Mix the cornstarch with the water. Whisk it into the sauce mixture to thicken.
  • 4. Serve the sauce with the chicken

CHICKEN & GNOCCHI IN PESTO SAUCE



CHICKEN & GNOCCHI IN PESTO SAUCE image

Categories     Chicken

Yield 4 people

Number Of Ingredients 12

¼ cup olive oil
4 boneless chicken breasts
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
a pinch of crushed red pepper
¾ cup white wine
¼ cup chicken broth
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4-1/2 cups, homemade or store bought pesto
1 bag Gnocchi, you can also use Cavatelli or Tortellini
Pecorino Romano grated cheese for garnish

Steps:

  • Mix the black pepper, oregano, basil, garlic powder and crushed red pepper together. Bring a pot of water to a boil for the gnocchi. In a 12" skillet, add the olive oil and heat on med. high for 1 minute. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with the mixed seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes a side. While the chicken is sautéing, cook the gnocchi as directed on the package. After the chicken is browned, take the chicken out of the pan and slice into bite size pieces. Turn the heat to low and add the wine, broth and butter and cook for another 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the crushed red pepper. When the gnocchi is cooked, drain and add to the skillet and then add the pesto. Mix well. Serve with crusty bread, grated cheese and a salad.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your sauce.
  • Don't overcook the chicken. Chicken is best when it is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Use a good quality pesto sauce. You can make your own or buy a jarred sauce from the store.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make chicken pesto pasta, so feel free to add your own personal touches.

Conclusion:

Chicken pesto pasta is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. If you are looking for a new pasta recipe to try, give this one a shot. You won't be disappointed.

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