Basil Pesto Chicken Spaghetti - Cafe Delites

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Chicken Pesto Spaghetti

By Karina Carrel

5 from 2 votes

on Aug 16, 2016, Updated Aug 28, 2025

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Chicken Pesto Spaghetti is packed with fresh flavour and comes together in no time, making it the perfect weeknight dinner. Juicy chicken, al dente pasta, and vibrant basil pesto coat every bite in comfort and freshness.

This chicken pesto pasta recipe isn’t just easy, it’s the kind of dish that turns heads at the table. Whether you call it pesto spaghetti with chicken or simply your new go-to pasta night favourite, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast.

Basil Pesto Chicken Spaghetti on a plate

What Makes This Recipe Work
What Goes Into Chicken Pesto Spaghetti
How To Make Chicken Pesto Spaghetti
Recipe FAQ’s
Basil Pesto Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

What Makes This Recipe Work

This Chicken Pesto Spaghetti is full of flavour and ready in under 30 minutes. The juicy chicken brings protein and heartiness, while the basil pesto coats the spaghetti in a creamy, garlicky sauce that clings to every strand.

Simple, quick, and satisfying, this chicken pesto pasta recipe is ideal for busy weeknights but special enough to serve when you want an easy twist on classic pesto spaghetti with chicken.

What Goes Into Chicken Pesto Spaghetti

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Flat lay photo of ingredient shot of grilled pesto chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, pesto, pasta water, spaghetti, parmesan cheese

This Chicken Pesto Spaghetti keeps things simple with fresh, vibrant flavours and pantry staples. A few quality ingredients are all you need to make this pasta shine.

Spaghetti: The perfect base for soaking up all that herby basil pesto. You can use any pasta shape you love.
Grilled Pesto Chicken: Juicy chicken breasts seasoned with pesto add protein and depth, turning this into a complete meal.
Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with sweetness, they balance the richness of the pesto and bring colour to every bite.
Basil Pesto: Whether homemade or store-bought, pesto is the star of this dish, coating the pasta with fresh garlic, herb, and nutty parmesan flavour.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

How To Make Chicken Pesto Spaghetti

Boil the Pasta: Cook spaghetti in a large pot of well salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

Smother the chicken breast fillets with pesto and season with salt and pepper.

Coat the Chicken: Smother chicken fillets with about 2 tablespoons basil pesto per breast. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook the chicken and cherry tomatoes on top of the grill until lightly browned.

Grill Option: Preheat a barbecue plate, grill pan, or skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through, then grill tomatoes until softened and lightly browned.

Place the chicken in a baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then add the cherry tomatoes and bake another 20 minutes.

Oven Option” Preheat oven to 350°F | 180°C and line a baking dish with foil. Bake chicken for 30 minutes, add tomatoes around the fillets, then bake 20 minutes more until chicken is no longer pink.

Add the remaining pesto to the cooked spaghetti with the 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until fully combined.

Toss the Spaghetti: Add remaining pesto to the cooked spaghetti with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss over low heat until glossy and well combined.

Slice the chicken and arranged over the spaghetti and tomatoes. Add freshly grated parmesan on top.

Slice and Serve: Slice chicken and arrange over the spaghetti with the tomatoes. Spoon over a little extra pesto and finish with freshly grated parmesan.

Chicken Pesto Spaghetti pairs perfectly with a side of Garlic Cheese Bread or a melty Spinach and Ricotta Grilled Cheese. For something lighter, a crisp Greek Salad adds freshness, while Creamy Pumpkin and Spinach Soup with Crispy Baconbrings cozy comfort to the table.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I Use A Different Pasta For Chicken Pesto Spaghetti?

Yes, while spaghetti is classic, you can make this chicken pesto pasta recipe with penne, linguine, or even zoodles for a lighter option.

Should I Use Homemade Or Store-Bought Pesto?

Both work beautifully. Homemade pesto adds a fresher flavour, but a good quality store-bought pesto makes this pesto spaghetti with chicken extra quick and convenient.

How Do I Keep The Pasta From Drying Out?

Reserve a little pasta water and toss it through the spaghetti with the pesto. It helps create a silky sauce that clings to every strand.

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SaveSaved Pin Print 5 from 2 votes

Basil Pesto Chicken Spaghetti

By Karina Carrel Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 43 minutes Total Time: 34 minutes Servings: 4 Basil Pesto Chicken Spaghetti is packed with flavour and comes together so quickly, it's sure to become a week-night favourite! Save this recipe!Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!Email *Save

Ingredients USMetric 1x2x3x

▢ 14 ounces spaghetti dry weight, or pasta of choice
▢ 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
▢ 4 grilled pesto chicken breasts use this recipe
▢ 17 ounces cherry tomatoes
▢ 1 cup homemade basil pesto or store bought pesto
▢ 1 pinch parmesan cheese freshly grated, to serve

Instructions

Boil spaghetti according to packet directions in salted water. Drain; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Meanwhile, cook pesto chicken and tomatoes using this recipe.
Add pesto mixture to the cooked spaghetti with 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss over low heat until well combined. Divide amongst serving bowls. Slice chicken breasts and arrange over the spaghetti. Top with parmesan. Serve warm.

Notes

We recommend using our homemade Basil Pesto, but you can use store bought if you prefer.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Karina eating butter chicken from a gold fork out of a bowl with a nann bread on the side.

Hey Good Food Lovers! It’s nice to see you! My name is Karina. Welcome to Cafe Delites, my beloved space for the last 10 years where my passion for food has flourished and connected millions!

4 Comments

Wow ! SOOOO good !!! Wet brined the chicken breast, pounded flat , and covered with mayo and pepper and through on the grill. The pesto sauce we made fresh per Karina’s encouragement , this is a BIG time keeper.
Reply
This recipe is definitely a keeper. It’s simple to make, yet so delicious. Even my son who is a picky eater, gave it the thumbs up.
Reply
Perfect, ty for a good recipe!
Reply
Wow! Another awesome recipe! My husband and I have loved every one of your recipes that I have tried. I am diabetic and they are perfect for me. Every dish is easy, flavorful, healthy and downright delicious! Keep up the good work!!!
Reply

Karina sitting on island bench wearing a black dress

Hey Good Food Lovers! It’s nice to see you! My name is Karina. Welcome to Cafe Delites, my beloved space for the last 10 years where my passion for food has flourished and connected millions!