It’s time for an easy and delicious recipe that combines chicken with sun dried tomato pesto in a creamy pasta sauce. Start the pasta while making the sauce and you will be ready to serve this in about 20 minutes!
What kind of chicken is needed for this recipe?
There are different versions of this recipe floating around, most using chicken breasts. I started out making this with chicken breasts and worked on the sauce. But after a few tries I realized that this sauce is ideal for using cooked shredded chicken. So now I either use leftover shredded chicken (breast or thigh) or purchase already cooked and shredded rotisserie chicken for the ultimate in convenience. It makes a perfect dinner for weeknights or any other day when time is just not on your side.
How to make sauce from sun dried tomato pesto
It starts with mushrooms. Saute the mushrooms in a skillet with oil/butter. Then add the rotisserie chicken. Stir and cook this a couple minutes - you are really just warming up the chicken here. After a few minutes, transfer the chicken and mushrooms to a bowl while you make the sauce.
For the sauce, of course you need a jar of sun-dried tomato pesto. I’ve tried several brands of tomato pesto and have liked them all for this recipe. The jars vary in size from about 6 - 6.5 ounces. Just put the whole jar in. Then slowly add the half and half, whisking vigorously while adding. Whisk and cook for 3 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and chicken back to the pan and stir to coat. Cook for another 4-5 minutes. You will notice the sauce will start to reduce and thicken a little bit. Adjust seasoning with a little salt and freshly ground pepper, as desired.
Add the spinach and mix it in – it only needs to wilt.
How to serve
If you like to serve pasta and sauce separately, then feel free to do so. It works best if people have different preferences. For instance, I might want the sauce on zoodles and the carnivore will always choose traditional pasta noodles. Keeping the items separate helps with that.
But when just having pasta, it is my preference to add the pasta to the sauce as soon as both are ready. When you do this, the pasta with absorb some of the sauce flavor and you can be sure there is an equal amount of sauce on every noodle! Somehow, I always end up with leftover pasta or sauce when I keep them separate!
I like to serve this with a simple green salad so I can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less!
Either way, it is simply delicious!
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken
Ingredients
- 1½ - 2 pounds chicken cooked and shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced (button or cremini)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ cup half and half
- 6-6.5 oz jar sun-dried tomato pesto
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves rough chopped
- 2 cups dried pasta rotini or similar
Instructions
- Begin cooking pasta according to package directions. When done, drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chicken and stir with the mushrooms for 2-3 minutes. Remove chicken and mushrooms to a bowl.
- Add pesto to skillet. Slowly add the half and half, whisking to combine. Continue whisking and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Add the chicken and mushrooms back to the pan and stir to coat. Cook for 4-5 minutes; sauce will reduce and thicken slightly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.
- Add the spinach and mix in.
- Add cooked pasta to the pan and stir to coat.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Recipe FAQs
Sun dried tomatoes are packed with nutrients and anti-oxidants (including lycopene) that are believed to decrease the risk of certain cancers, neutralize free radicals and decrease inflammation. They are also loaded with vitamins C (which supports the immune system) and K, as well as iron. (trainafoods.com)
Sounds pretty healthy to me!
I haven't tried it yet but it is on my list to try! I think all those mushrooms would make the sauce "meaty" enough, plus the spinach gives some variety and ups the nutrition. If you try it before me, let me know how it goes!
Love pasta? Penne alla Vodka sauce with Chicken is another delicious choice. Or, try my green pasta sauce for a different and healthy spin on pasta!
Andrea Metlika
What a quick, easy and delicious meal. My family will love this.
Sula
Yes they will!
Cate
This recipe looks so yummy! Thanks for the recipe making this tonight!!
Sula
You're welcome, I'm sure you will love it!
Neli Howard
This looks so good! I’m in need for some new chicken recipes and this one looks like a keeper. Thanks for sharing.
Sula
You're very welcome! I hope you enjoy it soon!
sarah johnson
You can never go wrong with a classic! Great recipe thanks
Sula
You're welcome, enjoy!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
This dish has my mouth watering, it sounds so good! What a tasty mix of flavours.
Sula
It's one of my favorites!
Kerri
You had me at pesto! This is so delicious my family just eats it up
Sula
Mine too! It's one of our faves!
Jennifer
Oh Iwow! I love chicken and sun dried tomatoes together. This dish looks fantastic!
Sula
I really is very tasty!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
Mmm... I think I just heard my tummy growl. lol. Thank you for making me hungry!
Sula
LOL glad I could help!
Debra
So many rich flavors here.....YUM. You had me at pesto...but the sun dried tomato addition is just perfect!
Sula
It's so good!
Amanda Marie Boyle
I love any excuse for sun-dried tomatoes, but the pesto version takes it to a new level! awesome!
Sula
Yes whoever invented sun-dried tomato pesto deserves a medal!
Angela
As a good Sicilian girl I love dried tomatoes! and this recipe is delicious thanks
Sula
I'm so glad you loved it Angela, thanks for letting me know!
Amy
Thanks for the recipe! Never thought o look for sun dried tomato pesto before and it was fantastic!
Sula
I'm glad you liked it Amy. Sun-dried tomato pesto is a favorite of mine!
Ashley
So delicious! My family enjoyed it so much!
Sula
I'm so glad! We love it here too!
Taleen | Just As Tasty
This looks so flavorful and delicious! I love sun dried tomato so I know I am going to love this.
Sula
If you like sun dried tomato anything, you will totally love this!
Emily Flint
I love this chicken recipe and the mushrooms were an unexpected add that was perfect! Everyone in my family devoured this dish!
Sula
It goes fast here too. The mushrooms are so perfect in the sauce!
Sarah James
What a tasty recipe, I love how quick and easy it is to make, thanks for sharing.
Sula
You are so welcome. It's almost surprising how easy it is to make, because the result is so darn good!