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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Chicken Pesto Pasta with Broccoli

    Published: Apr 9, 2021 Modified: Apr 9, 2021 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe
    Overhead shot of chicken pesto pasta garnished with basil in a black bowl on a blue surface.
    Overhead close up shot of chicken pesto pasta garnished with basil in a black bowl on a blue surface.
    Overhead shot of chicken pesto pasta garnished with basil in a black bowl on a blue surface with a napkin on the side.

    This Chicken Pesto Pasta utilizes the delicious green flavor of broccoli to create a unique and tasty dish that's full of nutrients! Creamy pesto pasta with chicken provides all of the necessary protein and carbs to go along with the health benefits of broccoli pesto. A perfect, easy to put together meal that's always a winner!

    Overhead shot of chicken pesto pasta garnished with basil in a black bowl on a blue surface with a napkin on the side.
    This unique recipe will soon become a staple in your dinner rotation!
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🥘 Ingredients Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👪 FAQs
    • 🧊 Storage
    • 💭 Helpful Tips
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥗 Suggested Side Dishes
    • 🍝 More Great Pasta Recipes
    • Chicken Pesto Pasta with Broccoli
    • 📋 Recipe Card
    • Chicken Pesto Pasta with Broccoli
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    👩🏻‍🍳 Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Is it comfort food, or is it a healthy dinner? This chicken pesto pasta with broccoli is both!! Wide ribbon noodles and creamy, thick pesto make this recipe rich and filling, yet the broccoli, basil, and lean chicken provide lots of nutritional value.

    If your kids are anything like mine, they love pasta. Various chicken and pasta recipes are among their favorites, without a doubt.

    They especially love ribbon noodles. I love the wide ribbons because all that surface area makes them great vehicles for getting lots of the yummy, healthy broccoli pesto into my boys! If you're interested in how to make Broccoli Pesto for yourself, go ahead and check out the recipe!

    The best part was that the kids did not even realize that the pesto contained broccoli. Your family will love this recipe, and you are going to feel so good knowing they are getting all that good nutrition!

    For another easy but impressive chicken dish, check out this Easy Chicken Fricassee.

    🥘 Ingredients Needed

    Overhead shot of ingredients- noodles, minced garlic, salt, cooked chicken, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, broccoli, olive oil, and fresh basil.
    These delicious ingredients will combine to create this unique chicken pesto pasta!

    For a complete list of ingredients, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    • noodles - I used wide egg noodles so they could carry lots of delicious pesto, but any kind of pasta works.
    • chicken breast - great for lean protein.
    • broccoli - gives this dish a boost of nutrition and green flavor.
    • basil - provides a refreshing grassiness to pair with the broccoli.
    • pine nuts - a common ingredient used in pesto.
    • Parmesan cheese - every good pasta dish needs some cheese!
    • salt
    • lemon juice - helps bring out some of the more muted flavors from the vegetables.
    • minced garlic
    • olive oil

    🔪 Instructions

    Four panel collage of process shots- boiling pasta, draining pasta, and combining all ingredients in the pot.
    You will love the ease of this delicious chicken pesto pasta recipe!

    Please note: This is an overview of the instructions. You'll find the complete instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    1. Boil water and cook noodles according to package.
    2. Drain water and return noodles to the pot.
    3. Add broccoli pesto and cubed cooked chicken into the pot with the noodles. Check out this post for more information on how to make your broccoli pesto.
    4. Stir to combine and ensure everything is heated through. Optional garnish with broccoli florets or more basil leaves, and serve!
    Four panel collage of process shots for cooking chicken breast- seasoning and cooking over the stove.
    These four simple steps are all it takes to make a delicious chicken breast!
    1. Rub both sides of the chicken breast with salt and pepper.
    2. Spray a skillet with some cooking spray and brown on each side for about 3 minutes.
    3. Add some water to the pan, cover with a lid, and cook for 6-8 minutes.
    4. Check to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees F.

    👪 FAQs

    What else can you do with pesto aside from pasta?

    Pesto can also be used as a dip for appetizers or a charcuterie board, as a salad dressing, a pizza topping, a spread for sandwiches, or even as an addition to breakfast!

    Can you eat pesto straight from the jar?

    Yes, there's no additional preparation that needs to be done before you eat or use pesto.

    Which pasta is best with pesto?

    Something like rotini or fusilli is good for a pesto dish, since the grooves in the pasta hold lots of delicious sauce. Bow ties would also be a cute option!

    Can pesto pasta be eaten cold?

    Yes, this dish is good when served cold as a sort of pesto pasta salad!

    How do I cook noodles so they don't stick together?

    Make sure you stir the pasta frequently while you are cooking it. After you drain it, toss it right away with some pesto, or a little olive oil if you aren't ready with the pesto yet. If you are making a different pasta dish, toss it with a little of whatever sauce you are using.

    Side shot of chicken pesto pasta garnished with basil in a black bowl on a blue surface with more basil on the side.
    With added health benefits with vegetables, you can feel good about making your family this pesto pasta recipe!

    🧊 Storage

    Chicken pesto pasta should last 4 or 5 days in the fridge if you're sure to store it in an airtight container.

    Reheating leftovers can be done easily in the microwave. You can also transfer your pasta to a pot with a little bit of oil and heat it over medium heat until everything is warmed through. This dish is also delicious served cold!

    Leftovers can also be frozen for about 4 months. To reheat, just thaw (best to leave it in the fridge overnight to let it defrost) and then follow one of the methods above!

    💭 Helpful Tips

    • For even more flavorful pasta, add some salt into the water before boiling. 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 quarts of water is a good rule of thumb.
    • If your pesto is a bit thin or you just want a thicker sauce, add more of the non-liquid ingredients, a small bit at a time, and pulse the mixture together until you achieve the desired consistency.

    Chicken pesto pasta with broccoli is packed full of tasty ingredients that bring a lot of nutrition to the table. Best of all, it's so delicious you won't even realize how healthy it is!

    📖 Variations

    • You can use whatever kind of noodles you like for this recipe! I used wide ribbon noodles here to get lots of surface area for pesto to stick to, but any kind of pasta will be delicious.
    • This dish is also a great way to use leftover turkey! Just substitute it for the cooked chicken.
    • Stir in some spinach, green beans, tomatoes, peas, mushrooms, or zucchini for more color, flavor, and nutrition!
    Overhead close up shot of chicken pesto pasta garnished with basil in a black bowl on a blue surface.
    This delicious chicken pesto pasta is the perfect meal to make in a hurry!

    🥗 Suggested Side Dishes

    These delicious sides will pair perfectly with your chicken pesto pasta!

    Quinoa Chickpea Salad
    Nutritious and delicious, this dish can be served as a side dish or a light meatless entree.
    Side view of finished Quinoa Chickpea Salad in a clear bowl with a black spoon in front of scallions.
    Quick Parmesan Garlic Bread
    This Quick Parmesan Garlic Bread is super-easy, better than store-bought, and a great way to use up leftover bread or rolls!
    square collage of 4 recipes you can make with leftover bread
    Air Fried Sweet Potato Fries
    Air Fried Sweet Potato Fries are so delicious and make a great healthy side dish for so many meals! Treat your family to these nutritious and easy fries that come out hot and crispy with less oil and just the right amount of seasoning!
    Top down view of sweet potato fries piled on a blue plate with a side of ranch mayo and a black napkin on the right.

    🍝 More Great Pasta Recipes

    If this chicken pesto pasta has you in the mood for more noodles, here are some of my family's favorite pasta dishes!

    • Close up shot of curry pasta and vegetables on a black plate with vegetables in the background.
      One Pot Pasta Recipe: Curry Pasta
    • Side angled view of ground beef orzo pasta in a white bowl with a fork on the side.
      Easy One Skillet Ground Beef Recipe with Orzo
    • Side view of cauliflower Mac and cheese garnished with herbs on a grey plate with a spoon on the side on a blue cloth.
      Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

    For a quick, easy pasta dish with a little zing to it, try this Spicy Tortellini Skillet Dinner with Tomatoes.

    Check out this story on how to make Chicken Pesto Broccoli Pasta!

    Chicken Pesto Pasta with Broccoli

    Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star ⭐ rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!

    (Pssst...if you are in the mood for chicken and pesto without all the carbs of pasta, try my Baked Pesto Chicken recipe!)

    📋 Recipe Card

    Overhead shot of chicken pesto pasta garnished with basil in a black bowl on a blue surface with a fork and more basil on the side.

    Chicken Pesto Pasta with Broccoli

    Recipe Author: Kristin
    Nutritious broccoli florets and fragrant basil team up to produce a flavorful, healthy pesto which coats the lean chicken and fiber-rich whole wheat noodles in this dish. Serve with a side salad for quick, easy, and healthy meal the whole family will love!
    4.92 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 22 minutes mins
    Course Entree
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 647 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 12 ounces noodles (regular or whole grain) (1 package)
    • 1 ½ cups chicken (approximately 1 large chicken breast) (cooked and cubed)

    For the pesto:

    • 1 cup broccoli florets (can be fresh, or thawed from frozen)
    • 20 large basil leaves (set aside some additional basil leaves for garnish, if desired)
    • ¼ cup pine nuts
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Prepare the noodles:

    • Boil water and cook the noodles according to package instructions.
      12 ounces noodles (regular or whole grain)

    Make the pesto:

    • Combine broccoli florets and basil leaves in a food processor or blender, and pulse until the broccoli and basil are chopped very finely. Add the pine nuts to the food processor and continue to pulse until they are also chopped very finely.
      1 cup broccoli florets, 20 large basil leaves, ¼ cup pine nuts
    • Add the Parmesan cheese, salt, lemon juice, and garlic, olive oil and process until well combined and smooth.
      ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

    Bring it all together:

    • When the noodles are done, drain and return to the pot.
    • Add the pesto and cooked chicken cubes and stir until noodles and chicken are coated. If needed, turn heat on low for a few minutes to keep the mixture warm. If the mixture seems dry, add a little more olive oil and toss.
      1 ½ cups chicken (approximately 1 large chicken breast)
    • Garnish with extra broccoli florets and/or basil leaves (optional) and serve.

    Notes

    • You don't have to use wide noodles for this recipe, you can actually use whatever pasta you like.
    • See my full recipe for the broccoli pesto for more helpful hints and variations.
    • Many people like to add salt to their pasta water, and it does make for tastier pasta. However, I often skip that step, so it is definitely optional. If you would like to add salt, use about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water.
    • This is delicious with leftover turkey! Simply cube your leftover turkey and use in place of the chicken.
    • For a quick and easy method to cook a chicken breast for this recipe, follow these steps:
      • Salt and pepper both sides of your chicken breast.
      • Using a skillet with a lid, spray the surface with a bit of cooking spray, heat over medium high heat, then place the chicken breast in the skillet and brown, about 3 minutes, then flip and brown another 3 minutes.
      • Add about ½ inch water to the pan, cover, turn down the heat to medium and cook for 6-8 minutes.
      • When it's done, the internal temperature should read about 165 F on a meat thermometer.
    • This recipe can also be served cold as a pasta salad!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 647kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 431mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Vitamin C: 23.4mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 2.3mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

    Want to make cooking even easier?Sign up here to receive FREE DBH exclusive content, including my favorite kitchen shortcuts and hacks, and unlock access to the DBH resource library with many other free downloads!

    Update Notes: This post was originally published in January 2014, but was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in April 2021.

    Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.

    And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!

    Happy cooking!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Miz Helen

      January 08, 2019 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      What a great combination, it looks so good! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    2. Kat @ Kat's 9 Lives

      January 04, 2019 at 11:07 am

      What a fun dish! It's so green! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!

      Reply
    3. Irene

      January 04, 2019 at 11:07 am

      Wonderful recipe, very well balanced and flavourful!

      Reply
    4. himalaya

      January 03, 2019 at 4:10 am

      5 stars
      This looks so good. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
    5. Jenny

      January 02, 2019 at 8:45 am

      This looks delicious! Thanks for all the tips and sharing at Merry Monday!

      Reply
    6. Stephanie

      February 05, 2015 at 2:29 am

      5 stars
      Hi Kristin! Love your brococoli pesto chicken with noodles recipe. I'm a mom of 4 kids and i think preparing this food make my family mouth-watering. I have been preparing all sorts of dish using a blender because i fin it easy to prepare food with a blender. I can't wait to try your recipe this coming Sunday. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Kristin King

        February 14, 2015 at 9:56 am

        Thanks, Stephanie! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    7. Joanne T Ferguson

      March 08, 2014 at 4:02 am

      G;day! Looks like a warm and comforting recipe!
      G'day! Your soup look terrific Barb! Wish I could try some now!
      View as party of this week's Foodie Friends Friends St Patrick's Day GREEN Recipes Party!
      Cheers! Joanne

      Reply
    8. Tripp

      February 03, 2014 at 12:23 am

      If I get chicken in any kind of food I feel truly great. I feel very hungry now and I am interested in this recipe .

      Reply
    9. Diane Balch

      January 16, 2014 at 12:10 pm

      MY kids love broccoli and those big noodles… must try.

      Reply
    10. Kristin @Kit's Crafts

      January 13, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      Great job Kristin! I love this combo! Broccoli is one of my favorite veggies and pesto is one of my favorite sauces, why have I never combined the two before?! Brilliant. So glad you shared this recipe at the Foodies and Crafties Soiree!

      Reply
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    👋 Hey there, I'm Kristin! As a full-time working wife and mom, my life is such a whirlwind, it makes me dizzy sometimes! So I have been working to develop quick, easy, family-friendly recipes for 20+ years, and this site is where I share them with you! Happy cooking!

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