This creamy pesto chicken pasta is a delicious and healthy dinner idea, perfect for a weeknight meal.

This one-pot creamy pesto chicken pasta with artichokes is a family favorite that brings together tender chicken, savory pesto, and tangy artichokes in a rich, comforting sauce. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without a lot of fuss.

Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef, this recipe is designed to be straightforward and rewarding. It delivers big on flavor with minimal effort, ensuring a wholesome and enjoyable meal that the whole family will love. Get ready to discover the details of this fantastic one-pot wonder!

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true winner for so many reasons, making it an instant favorite in many households. First and foremost, it’s incredibly quick and easy, perfect for those hectic weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. The “one-pot” aspect is a huge bonus, significantly cutting down on cleanup time, which is a major relief after a long day. It’s designed for busy families and individuals who appreciate efficiency without compromising on taste or nutritional value.

The combination of creamy pesto, tender chicken, and flavorful artichokes creates a balanced and satisfying dish that appeals to a wide range of palates, even picky eaters often enjoy the mild, herbaceous flavors. It’s a healthy dinner option, packed with protein from the chicken and good fats from the pesto, plus the added fiber and nutrients from the pasta and artichokes. You can serve this any night of the week, whether it’s a casual family dinner, a cozy meal for two, or even a simple yet elegant dish for unexpected guests. Its versatility and ease make it a go-to recipe you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is a great way to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience in the kitchen. This recipe uses readily available items you can easily find at any grocery store.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces dried pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine work well)
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

For simple substitutions, you can easily adapt this recipe to what you have on hand or to suit dietary preferences. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture. If you don’t have heavy cream, half-and-half or even milk can be used, though the sauce will be less rich. However, for the creamiest result, heavy cream is recommended. Any short or long pasta shape will work; choose your family’s favorite! If you’re out of fresh garlic, a teaspoon of garlic powder can be used. For a dairy-free option, look for dairy-free pesto and use a plant-based cream alternative, though the flavor profile will shift slightly. Make sure your chicken broth is low-sodium if you’re watching your salt intake.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This creamy pesto chicken pasta is designed for speed and efficiency, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights. You won’t need to dedicate a large chunk of your evening to get this delicious meal on the table.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on how quickly you chop your ingredients and the type of pasta you use. The beauty of this one-pot method is that everything cooks together, streamlining the process and getting you from prep to plate in under 40 minutes.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making this creamy pesto chicken pasta is surprisingly simple, thanks to its one-pot nature. Follow these steps for a delicious and easy meal.

Sauté the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage, just nicely seared. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add Pasta and Broth: Return the chicken to the pot. Add the dried pasta and pour in the chicken broth. Stir everything together to ensure the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
Stir in Cream and Pesto: Once the pasta is cooked and the liquid has mostly absorbed, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and prepared basil pesto until well combined and the sauce is creamy. The heat from the pasta and pot will warm the cream and pesto through.
Fold in Artichokes and Cheese: Gently fold in the quartered artichoke hearts and the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the artichokes are heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish and Serve: Ladle the creamy pesto chicken pasta into bowls. If desired, garnish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious one-pot meal!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This creamy pesto chicken pasta is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to your family’s preferences or what you have on hand. For a kid-friendly twist, you might use smaller pasta shapes like mini penne or rotini, which are often easier for little ones to eat. If your kids aren’t keen on artichokes, you can reduce the amount or omit them from their serving, or even try adding a handful of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for a hidden veggie boost.

You can easily swap out the chicken for other proteins. Cooked shrimp or leftover shredded rotisserie chicken can be stirred in at the very end, just to heat through. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth, perhaps adding some cannellini beans or sautéed mushrooms for extra substance. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten up the flavors beautifully.

When it comes to serving, this dish is hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own. However, it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette, or some crusty garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious creamy sauce. For a more substantial meal, consider serving it alongside some steamed green beans or roasted asparagus. It’s also fantastic for a casual buffet-style dinner; just keep it warm in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting if you’re serving a crowd. Optional toppings include toasted pine nuts for extra crunch, a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a straightforward recipe like this creamy pesto chicken pasta, a few common mistakes can impact the final dish. Knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect results every time.

One frequent slip-up is overcooking the pasta. Since the pasta cooks directly in the broth, it can absorb liquid quickly and become mushy if left unattended. To avoid this, stir the pasta occasionally during the simmering phase and check for doneness around the 10-minute mark. You want it al dente, meaning it’s tender but still has a slight bite.

Another common issue is not browning the chicken sufficiently at the beginning. Searing the chicken cubes creates a delicious crust and locks in flavor. If you overcrowd the pot, the chicken will steam instead of brown. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure good contact with the hot pan and allow for proper browning.

Adding the cream and pesto too early can also be a mistake. Pesto, especially, contains delicate herbs that can lose their vibrant flavor and color if cooked for too long at high temperatures. Adding the heavy cream and pesto *after* the pasta has cooked and the pot is removed from the direct heat ensures they retain their fresh taste and creamy texture. The residual heat is enough to warm them through without overcooking.

Finally, not seasoning properly throughout the cooking process can lead to a bland dish. Remember to season the chicken with salt

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta with Artichokes

Table of Contents