Put dinner on the table in 30 minutes flat with this simple chicken basil pesto pasta skillet that’s just loaded with healthy green goodness!
Easy + healthy + GREEEEEEEEN dinners for the new year!
My biggest goal for 2016, guys? Eat all the green things 24/7 and enjoy every second of it.
Challenge accepted. See exhibit A below. ↓
Oh, and spoiler alert: I’m currently working on a super-fun dinner recipe series to share with y’all in the veeeeeery close-ish future. And it’s pretty darn cool and wonderfully awesome, so stay tuned.
Now I have a major question regarding such things: What’s that one dinner item you absolutely adore and thus must make on a weekly basis or else you’ll lose your mind? For me it’s always been pesto pasta. Always. The green stuff is my BFF and homemade pesto is quite simply, the BEST.
So it stands to reason that a big pot ‘o the green carbs is gonna knock dinner straight outta the park. And more specifically make ME and every other green freak out there giddy with green excitement. (it’s the little thrills, guys) Home run for pesto pasta skillet!
Guys, for real. It’s almost ridiculous for me to even call this skillet a recipe because it has I’M EASY-PEASY written all over it. It was the end result of one of those frequent pesto cravings I get while at the same time I was feeling all the lazies. (hey, winter break does that to a person!)
So I whipped up my favorite pesto in the world. Threw it in a pot with tons of other dinner yum and called dinner NAILED.
That proved to be one of my better dinner ideas. Holy guacamole…
In total, there’s actually only three basic steps to making this pesto pasta. Consider dinner CONQUERED before you even start!
- Cook the pasta.
- Make the pesto sauce.
- Saute the chicken and veg, then throw everything into same the pot.
Then you faceplant, but that step actually doesn’t count because only you and I know about it. 😉
Shhhhhhh…
Ready to win at being a green boss? Guys, we’re all so in this green game together. DO IT!
30-Minute Chicken Basil Pesto Pasta Skillet
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Ingredients
- BASIL PESTO:
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- PASTA:
- 1 lb chicken breasts diced into 1/2-in cubes
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta or pasta shape of your choice, cooked according to package instructions and 1/2 cup pasta cooking water reserved
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the pesto: Place basil, spinach, pine nuts, garlic, and cheese in a food processor. With food processor running, slowly pour olive oil through top. Process pesto until completely smooth, scraping down sides if necessary. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set pesto aside.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, saute chicken, broccoli, onion, and garlic in oil over medium-high heat until chicken is cooked and broccoli is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and add cooked pasta, pesto, and reserved 1/2 cup pasta water to pan and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until pasta is heated through. Season pasta with salt and pepper to taste and top with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Be sure to check out all the other 30-Minute Thursdays!
Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry from Bake.Eat.Repeat.
30-Minute Three Bean Chipotle Quinoa Chili from Flavor the Moments
Walnut-Crusted Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Salad from Floating Kitchen
Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Orange-Ginger Sauce from Kristine’s Kitchen
Skinny Beef and Broccoli from Life Made Sweeter
30 Minute Chicken Stew from The Recipe Rebel
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla from Pumpkin ‘N Spice
30 Minute Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice from Savory Nothings
30 Minute Black Bean Soup with Pico De Gallo from She Likes Food
More skillet dinners your dinner table needs!
One-Skillet 30-Minute Chicken Parmesan
Stovetop Broccoli Chicken Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I’m a sucker for anything with pesto! This pasta looks amazing, Sarah! I’m kind of wishing I had this for breakfast! And since it’s made in just 30 minutes, that’s even better. Love it!
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! I’m a COMPLETE and total sucker for pesto everything too!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I was just saying to myself last night that I want something with pasta, chicken and broccoli and this is exactly what I need. I am adding this to my weeknight menu ASAP!
Sarah says
Yay! Definitely let me know how this pasta turns out, Ashley! xoxo
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
We make something with Mexican flavors pretty much every week, whether it be tacos or an enchilada casserole. I’m loving all of the green in this dish, Sarah! Eating all the green things is a great goal for 2016.
I can’t wait to find out more about your new dinner series!
Sarah says
My family is aaaaaall about the Mexican stuff too! Thanks Kristine! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Sarah, I love this pasta!!!!! love that you added broccoli florets!!!! totally going to try this!
Sarah says
Thanks Alice! This pasta sounds right up your alley for sure. 🙂
Annie says
Now this is my kind of pasta! Easy and quick!
Sarah says
The best kinda recipes right?? 😉
Megan @ Pip and Ebby says
I love the green and easy parts of this recipe. Looks delicious!!
Sarah says
Green totally always wins! 😉 Thanks Megan!
Kelly says
This pasta is the perfect way to eat all the greens! It looks gorgeous, Sarah! Love how quick and easy it comes together too!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Kelly! Happy weekend. 🙂
marcie says
Pesto is my thing — completely! I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner — and maybe even dessert. lol I want to dive into this bowl of green goodness — it doesn’t get any better than this — especially since it’s a 30-minute meal!
Sarah says
Ahh yes! Somebody else who shares my complete obsession with pesto! 😀
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
Those curly noodles are my favorites!! And pesto pasta with broccoli isn’t far behind! It’s such a simple meal but has so much delicious flavor! I want to eat all the green things too 🙂
Sarah says
I love the curly noodles too! They’re so much fun. 😀
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Mmmm, so much green goodness! I love pesto pasta too, and this one looks fantastic! Perfect 30 minute meal for January – definitely making me crave pesto pasta looking at those photos!
Sarah says
Thanks Stacey! Green everything totally wins in January right??
Danielle says
You ladies are killing it with the 30 minute Thursday recipes! I could totally see myself face planting into this pasta! I’m thinking I need to get on the pesto + pasta train soon 🙂
Sarah says
Pesto pasta is seriously the bomb, Danielle! You so need to hop on that train asap! 😉
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
It’s after 11pm at night and I’m sitting here drooling on my keyboard. I’m ready for second dinner! This looks incredible! Yeah for ALL the green foods in 2016!
Sarah says
Second dinners are the BEST. Also, totally necessary. 😉 Thanks Liz!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Okay, I think I want to eat every single 30 min Thursday recipe for dinner tomorrow. They are all amazing! One dinner component I *need* to make each week is a quesadilla. So easy to throw leftovers in, and I use whole wheat tortillas so I feel healthier! This pasta skillet is speaking my language Sarah. Pesto is one of my favorites!
Sarah says
I haven’t had quesadillas in FOREVER so I think that’s definitely gonna have to happen this weekend! 😉
Laura says
If I’m planning on using store-bought pesto sauce when I make this… how much pesto does this recipe generate?
Sarah says
Hi Laura! You will need about 1 cup of pesto for this pasta. Let me know how it turns out!
Brittany says
I keep coming back to this recipe every few months, and it doesn’t disappoint! I’ve subbed in walnuts occasionally, added asparagus when it’s in season, thrown in some peas for good measure every once in a while. Super adaptable, easily conquered, and a staple in our rotation. Thanks for a pasta recipe that is so so green heavy and delish!
Sarah says
Oh gosh, I’m SO happy to hear that, Brittany! This pesto pasta is definitely a staple in my family as well. 🙂 So glad you’ve found a dinner keeper.