Best 8 Penne With Chicken And Pesto Recipes

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Penne with chicken and pesto is a classic Italian pasta dish that is easy to make and packed with flavor. The combination of tender chicken, creamy pesto sauce, and perfectly cooked penne pasta creates a dish that is both satisfying and delicious. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for penne with chicken and pesto, providing you with a variety of options to suit your taste and preferences. Whether you prefer a simple and straightforward recipe or one that incorporates additional ingredients for a more complex flavor profile, we have you covered. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the world of penne with chicken and pesto.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

PESTO CHICKEN PENNE CASSEROLE



Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole image

Creamy, flavorful and so easy to fix. This meal-in-one will wow family and friends. Makes a lot, so freeze some or halve the recipe.

Provided by Lindalou

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Chicken

Time 1h15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (16 ounce) box penne pasta
6 cups cubed cooked chicken
4 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
1 (15 ounce) jar pesto sauce
1 ½ cups milk

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a small bowl until evenly moistened; set aside.
  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Meanwhile, combine the chicken in a bowl with the Italian cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, and milk. Stir in the pasta once done, and scoop into the prepared baking dish. Top with the bread crumb mixture.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden brown on top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 760.2 calories, Carbohydrate 40.7 g, Cholesterol 114.1 mg, Fat 47.2 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 45.4 g, SaturatedFat 18.2 g, Sodium 1209.9 mg, Sugar 4.2 g

PENNE WITH CHICKEN AND PESTO



Penne with Chicken and Pesto image

I sometimes substitute chicken broth for half the heavy cream called for in the recipe to reduce calories. I also use additional Parmesan.

Provided by MARYSTEVE

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into thin strips
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 ¼ cups heavy cream
¼ cup pesto
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute chicken and garlic until chicken is almost cooked. Reduce heat and stir in salt, pepper, cream, pesto and Parmesan cheese. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside. Stir in cooked pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 497.1 calories, Carbohydrate 42.6 g, Cholesterol 96.9 mg, Fat 26.1 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 12.6 g, Sodium 164.2 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

CHICKEN PESTO PENNE



Chicken Pesto Penne image

We had a wonderful pasta dish at a local restaurant and I have spent time recreating and (blush blush) I think improving on it. This is not low fat, but it is nice for a once in a while treat. If you want to indulge even more, perhaps for company, (and make it taste even better) use full fat cream instead of the half and half! I use bought, jarred pesto but homemade would be even better. I hope you enjoy it!

Provided by Paja9203

Categories     Penne

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb penne rigate (the kind with ridges, 4 cups dry)
1 lb boneless chicken breast, sliced 1/4 inch thick and in pieces
1 cup onion, minced
1 cup mushroom
2 garlic cloves
2 cups half-and-half cream
2/3 cup pesto sauce
1 cup sun-dried tomato, chopped
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, fresh grated (only the real stuff, not in the green can!)
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Steps:

  • Season and saute the chicken breast. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, cook the penne in salted boiling water.
  • In the same pan as the chicken breast, saute mushrooms and onion. When almost done, add garlic and saute until fragrant.
  • Add cream and pesto and bring to a boil. Put the chicken back in the pan and add the sun-dried tomatoes Simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.
  • Add most of the parmesan (reserving a little for the top).
  • Drain the penne saving some of the water.
  • Add the penne to the sauce and stir. Add reserved water if needed to thin the sauce.
  • Serve penne topped with the saved parmesan and basil if using.
  • Serve.

CHICKEN PESTO PENNE



Chicken Pesto Penne image

"Served with a side dish of vegetables, this makes a filling meal for two," writes Bill Hilbrich of Saint Cloud, Minnesota. "Sometimes I use cooked shrimp instead of chicken."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup uncooked penne pasta
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons prepared pesto
1 cup cubed cooked chicken

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, sour cream and pesto. Drain pasta. Add pasta and chicken to Parmesan mixture; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 392 calories, Fat 17g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 81mg cholesterol, Sodium 282mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 30g protein.

PENNE WITH PESTO



Penne with Pesto image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 large bunch fresh basil
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound penne rigate or other ridged small tube pasta

Steps:

  • Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
  • Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
  • Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
  • Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
  • Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

PESTO PENNE WITH ROASTED CHICKEN



Pesto Penne With Roasted Chicken image

One quick stop at the grocery store on my way home from work and I can have this on the table 20 minutes after I arrive home! Recipe is from Midwest Living magazine.

Provided by Hey Jude

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 ounces mostaccioli pasta or 8 ounces bow tie pasta (4 cups)
2 cups broccoli florets
1 (7 ounce) container purchased basil pesto (about 3/4 cup)
2 1/2 cups refrigerated cooked chicken breast strips or 2 1/2 cups leftover cooked chicken
1 (7 ounce) jar roasted sweet red peppers, drained and cut into strips
1/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli the last 2 minutes of cooking; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water; return drained pasta and broccoli to saucepan.
  • In a small bowl, combine pesto and the reserved pasta water.
  • Add chicken, roasted red sweet peppers and pesto mixture to pasta in saucepan; toss gently to coat; heat through over medium heat; add 1/4 cup cheese to pasta mixture and toss to combine.
  • Divide among 4 pasta bowls and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese if desired; top with ground black pepper and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 581, Fat 17.2, SaturatedFat 5.7, Cholesterol 82.5, Sodium 218.6, Carbohydrate 74.1, Fiber 26.2, Sugar 3, Protein 43.6

ONE-PAN GARLIC CHICKEN PESTO PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY



One-Pan Garlic Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: canola oil, chicken breasts, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, pesto, penne pasta, cherry tomato, parmesan cheese, fresh basil

Provided by Tasty

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon canola oil
2 chicken breasts, sliced into 1/2 inch (2cm) strips
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
½ tablespoon kosher salt
½ tablespoon black pepper, freshly ground
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ cup pesto
3 cups penne pasta, cooked and drained
¾ cup cherry tomato, halved
parmesan cheese, to garnish
fresh basil, chopped, to garnish

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a pan over high heat. Combine the chicken, garlic, salt, and pepper, cooking until chicken is browned.
  • Then, mix in the heavy cream, parmesan, and pesto, stirring until evenly combined.
  • Next, bring to a boil and cook until the sauce has reduced, about five to seven minutes.
  • Toss in the pasta and cherry tomatoes, stirring until evenly coated. Remove from heat.
  • To serve, sprinkle parmesan cheese and basil on top!
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 892 calories, Carbohydrate 99 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 47 grams, Sugar 6 grams

PESTO CHICKEN PENNE



Pesto Chicken Penne image

A convenient pesto sauce mix provides the pleasant basil flavor in this simple chicken and pasta combination from Beth Martin Sine of Faulkner, Maryland. This entree requires little effort, yet seems elegant.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 20m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

8 ounces penne or any medium pasta
1 envelope pesto sauce mix
3/4 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey
Shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, whisk the pesto mix, milk and oil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. , Add chicken; heat through. Drain pasta. Add to the sauce and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh pesto sauce. You can make your own pesto or buy a good quality store-bought brand.
  • If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the chicken and vegetables by hand. Just be sure to chop them into small pieces so that they cook evenly.
  • If you don't have penne pasta, you can use another type of short pasta, such as rotini or fusilli.
  • Add some extra vegetables to the dish, such as chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
  • If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Serve the pasta with a side of grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

Conclusion:

This penne with chicken and pesto is a quick and easy meal that's perfect for a busy weeknight. It's also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The creamy pesto sauce and tender chicken make this dish a favorite for both kids and adults.

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