Creamy, flavorful chicken basil pesto fettuccine alfredo is made ENTIRELY in one pot in only 30 minutes and this one will quickly become your new favorite way to eat fettuccine alfredo!
On a scale of 1 to 10 on the green goodness scale…we’re pretty much at a solid 110, guys.
It was probably/definitely the carbs that helped push it over the edge though. Leave it to carbs to come in for the clutch.
Guys, it turns out that pesto fettuccine alfredo wins on like basically all levels of dinner. The main reasons you should be aware of include…a) it’s GREEN and the green stuff is actually good because nobody hates on pesto. Nobody.
B and C mostly just involve me gushing about the fact that it’s also got alfredo sauce. Plus chicken. And fettuccine. And it’s all made in one.freaking.pot.
In relation to that whole one pot, smack-yoself-it’s-so-easy-bit…here’s the prep list >>>
- Pesto. I prefer to make my own because homemade pesto literally blows storebought out of the picture. Totally up to you though! I provide my recipe either way.
- Saute up a mess of chicken cubes, onions, garlic, etc.
- Alfredo sauce gets made right then and there! Nestle your noodles in the pan and let it all simmer happily away for awhile.
- Once the sauce is thick, creamy, and the noodles are cooked…snatch that baby off the stove and stir ALL THE PESTO into it. I like to leave the pesto step as the last step so my pesto fettuccine alfredo stays a vibrant, gorgeous green.
Also it is at this point where I just prefer to dive right in with both hands. Good grief, can you even blame me?
Seriously. Green wins today, guys. Probably even won this entire week for us.
One-Pot Chicken Basil Pesto Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
Basil Pesto
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Fettuccine Alfredo
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-in cubes
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz uncooked fettuccine pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
Instructions
Basil Pesto
- In a food processor, pulse all ingredients while drizzling olive oil through top. Scrape down sides several times and season pesto with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Fettuccine Alfredo
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil until shimmery. Add chicken, onion, and garlic and saute several minutes until chicken is no longer pink. Stir in flour until smooth. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Add cream, chicken broth, and pasta. Bring pasta to a simmer over medium-high, then reduce heat to medium and let simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid is evaporated and pasta is tender and creamy. (if pasta isn't cooking fast enough, add a little more chicken broth near the end)
- Remove fettuccine alfredo from heat and stir in prepared basil pesto. Season with salt and pepper to taste and top with Parmesan and basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Mmm pure comfort food calling my name! You had me at basil pesto and then again at one pot. Such a great meal, Sarah! I love fettuccine alfredo, so I can only imagine how delicious this must be!
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! It’s total comfort food! 🙂
marcie says
I’m ALL about pesto all the time! The fact that this is made in one pot seals the deal…this is the perfect weeknight supper!
Sarah says
Right?? One pot always seals the deal! 🙂
ASHLEY - THE RECIPE REBEL says
I love pesto on EVERYthing, so this is right up my alley! That gorgeous green is perfect for St. Paddy’s day!
Sarah says
Thanks Ashley! <3 <3
Trinity says
My fiance and I had this for the first time today, and it was lovely. The only thing I would say is that there is quite a bit of sauce left once the pasta is cooked. Also, can you specify about how much pesto to use if you’re using store bought?
Sarah says
3/4 cup storebought pesto is what I would recommend for this recipe, Trinity. 🙂
mira says
This looks amazing and perfect for Spring! CAN’T WAIT TO TRY IT!
Sarah says
Thanks girl!! Let me know if you get a chance to! <3
Bob says
I just made this and it looks like your fettuccine sauce proportions are WAY off and the white sauce is way too much. Your recipe calls for 2.5 cups of milk and 3 cups of chicken broth which is way to much to get the consistency shown in your picture. You may want to revise!
Sarah says
Bob, in order for the fettuccine to cook completely in the sauce, it is necessary to have this amount of liquid. Did your sauce not thicken up enough?
Kayla says
Completely agree. I just made this also and it it was pretty bland in flavor. Would probably double the pesto recipe because it looked more like a chicken Alfredo rather than a pesto recipe. Looked absolutely nothing like the picture and I barely tasted the pesto
Liz says
This is exactly the kind of recipe I was looking for. Going to make it today for my son’s birthday. I feel sure it’s going to be great. I will let you know.
Alyssa says
I kinda made my own version completely and I will never change it! It was so good! I started out cooking bacon and then taking it out and then cooking the seasoned chicken that I had with garlic and onion and then I added in chicken broth, heavy cream and the pasta noodles and cooked until about al dente then added store bought pesto, let it cook a little and then added back in the bacon.
Topped with Parmesan and I’m telling you it is so good!!
Sarah says
Thanks for sharing your version, Alyssa! Love the sound of bacon in this pasta. 🙂
Andre says
Quality fyi followed instructions but used no cream and used penne but DOUBLED the pasta amount tis perfect thank you very much
Sarah says
Thanks for sharing your modifications, Andre!
Stella says
Very tasty, usually cook my food with lots of spices but roughly followed the recipe and didn’t have the cream but oh so good.used pesto I froze months ago in ice cube trays and added fresh basil.Wrote recipe down in my book of ones to remember..! Thanks so much
Sarah says
Glad to hear you enjoyed, Stella! 🙂