One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta with Asparagus

4.8
(13)
11 Reviews

This healthy chicken pesto pasta recipe is easy to make thanks to convenience ingredients like rotisserie chicken and store-bought pesto. The addition of fresh asparagus brightens up the look and flavors of this easy one-pot dinner. Fresh basil, if you have it on hand, is a nice finishing touch.

By
Pam Lolley
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Pam Lolley

Pam Lolley is a recipe tester and developer with Dotdash Meredith Food Studios. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi University for Women in elementary education with a minor in psychology. After graduation she taught for a couple of years, but decided to follow her true passion of baking. She began a personal baking business, which led to a catering company. Pam started developing and testing recipes for the Southern Living Magazine Test Kitchen in 2003. She has developed several of the white Christmas cakes which grace the magazine's cover every December, as well as several other dessert recipes that have been cover-worthy. She has been in the test kitchens now for over 18 years. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, traveling, reading and, believe it or not, loves to cook and bake at home!

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 19, 2024
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
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Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
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Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
one pot chicken pesto pasta
Prep Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 cups
Nutrition Profile:
Healthy Pregnancy Healthy Aging Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Low-Calorie
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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat penne

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast

  • 1 (7 ounce) container refrigerated basil pesto

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup)

  • Small fresh basil leaves for garnish

Directions

  1. Cook pasta in a large pot according to package directions. Add asparagus to the pot during the final 2 minutes of cooking time. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.

  2. Return the pasta mixture to the pot; stir in chicken, pesto, salt and pepper. Stir in the reserved cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired consistency. Transfer the mixture to a serving dish; sprinkle with Parmesan and garnish with basil, if desired. Serve immediately.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, April 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

422 Calories
18g Fat
32g Carbs
31g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 422
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 31g 63%
Total Fat 18g 24%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Vitamin A 636IU 13%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Folate 59mcg 15%
Sodium 714mg 31%
Calcium 168mg 13%
Iron 3mg 14%
Magnesium 27mg 6%
Potassium 417mg 9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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