Thanks to our friends at al fresco all natural for sponsoring this One Pot Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta - it’s creamy and luscious, hearty and healthy, and dreamy and delicious! This tasty meal only requires one pot and is on the table in less than 30 minutes – the perfect easy weeknight meal! Trust me, after one bite of this creamy pesto chicken pasta your taste buds will be rejoicing!
There’s just something about that bright sweet tomatoey flavor paired with the fresh, herbaceous basil… literally food pairing perfection!
And then add in some lean chicken and pasta and you’ve got one mind-blowingly tasty meal in your belly. Like this One Pot Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta!! It is everything my friend! CRAMAZING! Over the top drool worthy! Completely EXTRA! And taste bud worshipping delicious!
Plus, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes and it only requires one pan! Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to you!
Clearly, I’m (ahem) a little excited about this delectable chicken pesto pasta. I promise one bite of this creamy yumminess and you will be too!
Your new favorite Chicken Pesto Pasta:
Allow me to share all the reasons this pesto chicken dish will make you dance around the kitchen singing the Mamma Mia soundtrack… Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!...
First of all, it’s brimming with al fresco chicken sausage - aka THE BEST and most flavorful chicken sausage to ever exist. I know – a very strong statement right!?? But have you tasted it??
I used their Sundried Tomato with basil and tomatoes flavor for today’s recipe. I think the name speaks for itself, but just to be abundantly clear it’s full of tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, basil, dried onion, garlic, and paprika. It is absolutely scrumptious!
Annnd just to prove I’m not the only one that adores this chicken sausage, allow me to quote a few fellow al fresco fans after trying this sundried tomato sausage…
“Deliciously awesome!”… “The taste is heavenly!”
And another… “Out of this world!” … “I thought my husband was going to eat the entire package!”
And what the heck, one more for fun… “I love this chicken sausage! … “The Sundried Tomato and Basil is my all-time favorite of the al fresco chicken sausage flavors. We enjoy it for weekend breakfasts with scrambled eggs, spinach, English muffins...”
And if you’d like to check out more details or see what others are saying about this delicious, healthy, gluten free, fully cooked, lean chicken sausage then head on over here and take a peek. #SeeingIsBelieving
You can find fully cooked al fresco chicken sausage at your local grocery store in the refrigerated area. I shop at Publix here in Florida and all the al fresco products are always located near the bacon.
Let’s see, what else can I tell you about this pesto chicken recipe…
- I used rigatoni noodles for this dish but bowtie pasta or penne pasta would be just as delicious. (You’ll love the rigatonis!)
- I also used store-bought pesto… the kind found in the refrigerated area, next to the cheese and premade tortellini pasta. But you can definitely make your own if you prefer. #YouDoYou
- I’m always looking for ways to boost the nutrition and make recipes healthier so true to form, I added 5 ounces of fresh baby spinach to this pesto chicken pasta. #PopeyeWouldBeProud
As I mentioned this Chicken Pesto Pasta comes together in less than 30 minutes… here’s how to create this culinary masterpiece:
First, use a large preheated saucepan to brown the al fresco chicken sausage in olive oil for 2-3 minutes a side. Then with a slotted spoon, transfer it to a bowl.
Next, add 2 cups of chicken stock (or water) and turn the burner to high heat until it starts to simmer, then add the pasta.
Cover with a lid and keep it cracked slightly, reduce heat to medium high, and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until most of liquid is absorbed.
Now, add ½ cup more of chicken stock (or water) and all the tomatoes to the pan, cover tightly with the lid, and cook for 4 more minutes.
Stir in the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese aka Parmigiano-Reggiano, garlic powder and pepper, until cheese is melted and spices are combined.
This step is the secret to making this creamy basil pesto sauce so luscious!
Finally, remove the pan from the heat and fold in the pesto, cooked chicken sausage and baby spinach. Garnish with fresh basil and more Parmesan cheese and devour!
Like I said… “Over the top drool worthy! Completely EXTRA! And taste bud worshipping delicious!”
Weeknight dinners just got a huge upgrade with this one pan wonder!
But don’t take my word for it give it a try for yourself… I know you and your family are going to adore this One Pot Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta!
I would love to connect with you! Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest!
One Pot Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
One Pot Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta… it’s creamy and luscious, hearty and healthy, and dreamy and delicious! This tasty meal only requires one pot and is on the table in less than 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces al fresco sundried tomato chicken sausage
- 2 ½ cups reduced sodium chicken stock, chicken broth, or water
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta (uncooked)
- 15 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes, ½ of them cut in half and the rest whole
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup refrigerated basil pesto (found in the dairy department at the grocery store)
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- fresh torn basil leaves for garnish
- additional grated Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Add oil to a large saucepan and brown chicken sausage 2-3 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a bowl.
- Add 2 cups of chicken stock/water and turn the burner to high heat until it starts to simmer. Add pasta, cover with a lid partially cracked open, and reduce heat to medium high. Cook for 8 minutes, and stir occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add all the tomatoes and ½ cup more of chicken stock/water to the pan, cover tightly with the lid, and cook for 4 more minutes.
- Add the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted and spices are combined.
- Remove pan from heat and add the cooked sausage, pesto, and spinach. Gently fold all ingredients together.
- Garnish with fresh basil and more Parmesan cheese.
Notes
A sprinkle of crushed red pepper is a nice addition and brings a bit of heat to this dish.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
8-10 ouncesAmount Per Serving Calories 544Total Fat 33gSaturated Fat 8gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 68mgSodium 1142mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 2gSugar 6gProtein 21g
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
I love everything about this delicious dinner! Al Fresco is so yummy - I need to try this flavor! And of course, pesto makes everything better! Yum!
holly
Thank you, Kathryn! I totally agree - love me some al fresco chicken sausage! This sun dried basil flavor would be great with any Italian dish!
Kristy Bernardo
I use al fresco sausage in my recipes all the time! They're the best chicken sausage I've found and I LOVE cooking with it! So many yummy things you can make. This pasta looks amazing!
holly
Thanks, Kristy! I couldn't agree more about al fresco being the best chicken sausage ever!! I love how many unique and delicious flavors they offer and its so good for us!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
One pot meals are the BEST! Ain't nobody got time to do dishes. And my husband loves sausage (and I love using healthy options like chicken wherever I can) so I'm sure this will be a winner in our household!
holly
Haha truer words were never spoken, Claire! Delicious with no dishes - sign me up. I hope you and your family love it as much as mine! Thanks so much!
Veronika's Kitchen
I love one pot pasta recipes! and this one has a perfect combination of flavors! I definitely need to make it during the busy week!
holly
Thank you so much, Veronica! I think you're going to love it!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
One pan meals are the best for busy weeknights and you can't go wrong with a pesto and pasta combination!
holly
I agree, Kathryn! It's a classic flavor combo that's perfect for any night of the week. Thanks!
Marisa Franca
I love one pot recipes and the ingredients are just the ones that I enjoy the most. This would make a great weeknight dish and I know the family would love it.
holly
Thank you, Marisa! I agree... Easy dishes with healthy and delicious ingredients - you really can't go wrong! I hope you and your family love it as much as mine!
prasanna hede
Looks like such a easy and delicious recipe to put together. Will save this.
holly
Awesome! Yes - it's really easy, full of healthy ingredients, and taste sooo good! Thank you!
Tammy
I love the step-by-step shots here. This dish looks so easy to toss together and it looks incredibly delicious! Love an easy pasta dish like this..yum!
holly
Hi Tammy, I appreciate the compliments! I feel the same - I'm all about an easy pasta dish! Thanks!
Elaine
I might be singing Mamma Mia and dancing right now because this recipe is so good! 🙂 I really like how it turned out in the end!
holly
Haha I love that, Elaine! I see it now, you and me dancing and singing and enjoying this yummy meal! Thanks so much!
shobelyn
This Pasta has all my favorite ingredients: sausage and pesto,plus it is only 30 minutes to prepare! Just perfect for dinner.
holly
I think so too, Shobelyn! It's just so easy and delicious! Thanks so much!
Nicolas Hortense
I love your energy Holly! Certainly pumps me up to cook. And this pesto has so much going on! Love how you added the spinach too. Guess I'll have to keep an eye out for the al fresco brand. Keep up the fantastic work you're doing (:
holly
Hey Nicolas, I appreciate your encouragement! I guess when I really love something it shows.😄 And I do LOVE al fresco chicken sausage! Seriously, the best tasting chicken sausage available with the most diverse flavor options. I can't wait for you to try it!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
What a fresh pesto summer dish! I love pesto in the summer and the chicken sausage adds such a nice flavor punch to the dish. YUM
holly
Thank you, Dominque! I completely agree... The chicken sausage is so flavorful and delicious - even better than using regular chicken!
Veena Azmanov
We love pesto pasta and this looks perfect. Chicken sausages sound so flavorful. Love such simple and easy recipes. Saving this for later.
holly
I love hearing that, Veena! This chicken sausage has such great flavor - I like it better than plain chicken. Thanks so much!
Erin
Mmmm, that sauce you made to go with the sausage and pasta looks divine - all my favorite flavors! Can't wait to cook up a batch!
holly
Thanks so much, Erin! The creamy element really takes this sauce to a whole new level. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Anne
I love chicken, pesto, pasta and sausage and this looks so good. I can't wait to give this recipe a try!
holly
I feel the same way, Anne! I think you're gonna love it!