Try this 4 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Pasta for a kid-approved, superfood dish that’s a life-saver on busy weeknights.
shredded chicken pesto pasta
We are absolutely in love with this 4 ingredient pasta dish, it has been a life-saver in my house.
Have any picky eaters in your home, child or ehm… adult? Looking to add more superfood to your meals, without a dinnertime revolt? Are you all about quick & easy meals that come together in minutes?
This 4 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Pasta is for you. Busy parents, I’ve got a fabulous recipe to add to your weeknight rotation. Just four ingredients, one pan to clean, and takes only the time to boil up some pasta.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS 4 INGREDIENT CHICKEN PESTO RECIPE:
- 1 box rotini pasta
- 8 oz pesto sauce
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped
- ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese, optional
DIRECTIONS TO MAKE THIS 4 INGREDIENT CHICKEN PESTO RECIPE:
- Boil up pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
- Meanwhile, shred meat off of chicken.
- Add pasta to large bowl, top with chicken and pesto. Stir gently to coat ingredients with pesto.
- Top with Parmesan cheese or preferred toppings. Enjoy!
To make this meal super simple & quick to prepare, I use store-bought pesto (found near the deli) and shredded rotisserie chicken. Let’s make things easy, so it fits into your busy schedule.
handy tools to make this 4 ingredient meal even easier:
- pasta bowls – decorative, dishwasher safe, jazz up an easy meal
- saucepot – good quality, heats evenly, heavy duty, boil pasta quickly
To finish it off, I sprinkle on fresh Parmesan cheese, but you can add any topping that your family loves. That’s right, the fourth ingredient is totally customizable. A few ingredients that go well with pesto? Pine nuts, chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned), goat cheese, or basil leaves.
FAQs
What is pesto used for?
You can use it in appetizers, in pastas, as spread on sandwiches, on pizza, stuffed in meats, and in sauces.
What is the difference between red and green pesto?
Green pesto made from pine nuts blended with fresh basil, parmesan or pecorino cheese, garlic and olive oil. Red pesto is made similarly but with either sun-dried tomatoes, grilled red peppers or pimiento.
Is pesto or tomato sauce healthier for you?
Marinara sauce has less calories and allows for twice as much sauce per serving when compared to pesto. However, both sauces contain many health benefits and pesto is a good alternative to use occasionally.
From start to finish, this meal takes about 15 minutes. Plus, it’s full of nutrients and kid-approved. Try it tonight!
4 Ingredient Pesto Chicken
Kid-approved superfood-- just 4 ingredients to a Pesto Chicken Pasta that's a life-saver on busy weeknights. A quick & easy pasta dish full of nutrients.
Ingredients
- 1 box rotini pasta
- 8 oz pesto sauce
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped
- ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Boil up pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
- Meanwhile, shred meat off of chicken.
- Add pasta to large bowl, top with chicken and pesto. Stir gently to coat ingredients with pesto.
- Top with Parmesan cheese or preferred toppings. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 627Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 935mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 43g
Carol J says
Whoa! Seaweed in pasta! That sounds amazing. Can’t wait to give this a try with my kids. What a simple recipe.
Alison says
It was a big hit with my family. Enjoy!