• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Cookin Chicks
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About Me
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Chicken

    Mediterranean Pesto Pasta

    Published: Mar 5, 2020 by Kristin Leave a Comment

    FacebookTweetPinYummlyEmail
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy Mediterranean Pesto Pasta recipe comes together in minutes and is perfect for any night of the week! Loaded with lots of delicious ingredients, like basil pesto, zucchini, tomatoes, chicken and more. It’s sure to disappear fast!

    fresh Mediterranean pesto pasta with veggies, chicken, and seasonings

    Mediterranean Pesto Pasta

    This easy to make pasta dish is perfect for anytime of the year! Zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and chicken combined with a Pesto sauce make this one meal you definitely should try!

    A few nights ago, I was looking for a simple dinner to prepare because I was short on time. I had thought ahead earlier and thawed some chicken, but that’s as far as I got. I couldn’t very well serve chicken on its own, so decided to throw some veggies with it. One thing led to another, and this pasta dish was created. Thank goodness I had a jar of Pesto in my pantry otherwise who knows what we would have been eating, ha-ha!

    I sauteed the vegetables first, then the chicken, and combined all into some cooked pasta with Pesto. The dish looks much fancier than it really was to make, so I call that a win!

    My hubby and I each went back for seconds, and my three kiddos happily cleared their plates (eating even their veggies without complaint)!

    Now, I use and LOVE Chupacabra seasoning on my veggies and chicken, however, if you have a favorite seasoning on hand already, feel free to use that! If you are in the market for a new seasoning line, DEFINITELY try Chupacabra (click HERE). Some other options would be Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, garlic herb, or keeping it simple with good ol’ salt/pepper.

    If you want to make a homemade Pesto sauce, you definitely can! I had a jar that we had been gifted, so I used that, but a homemade Pesto is a great option too! Just depends on time you have!

    You can use spaghetti noodles or change things up and use a different noodle! You just need to change the cook time according to the package directions!

    Change up the vegetables if you prefer different ones in addition or lieu of! The choices are endless with this dish!

    a one pan skillet with pesto pasta, chicken, and vegetables

    Ingredients Needed:

    • Olive Oil
    • Zucchini
    • Squash
    • Chicken Breast
    • Basil Pesto
    • Spaghetti Noodles
    • Cherry Tomatoes
    • Seasoning of Choice
    • Parmesan Cheese

    How to prepare Mediterranean Pesto Pasta

    1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a skillet.
    2. Add in the zucchini and squash once oil is heated. Cook for about 5 minutes, seasoning with salt/pepper or seasoning of choice *I use Chupacabra (see link in post above)
    3. Once zucchini/squash is slightly browned, remove from skillet and set aside.
    4. In same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil. Add uncooked chicken and season with salt/pepper or desired seasoning. Cook about 6-8 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.
    5. As chicken is cooking, boil noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain once cooked.
    6. Add cooked/drained pasta to the cooked chicken.
    7. Toss in the cherry tomatoes and zucchini/squash mixture.
    8. Add in the Pesto and toss to coat thoroughly. *You can add more Pesto if you prefer.
    9. Sprinkle Parmesan on top and serve immediately!

    pesto sauce coating tender noodles with chicken, tomatoes, zucchini, and squash in a skillet

    Add In Options

    Have some fun with this Mediterranean Pesto Pasta and truly make it your own! It’s a simple, light tasting dinner option that also reheats great!

    • Zucchini
    • Tomatoes
    • Black Olives
    • Artichokes
    • Squash
    • Onions
    • Asparagus
    • Sun Dried Tomatoes
    • Feta Cheese

    More Pasta recipes to try

    Lemon Spaghetti

    Creamy Baked Ziti

    Grandma’s Lasagna

    Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

    Chicken Piccata Pasta

    Be sure to connect to me on Instagram HERE! Use #thecookinchicks if you make this dish!!

    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Mediterranean Pesto Pasta

    This Mediterranean Pesto Pasta is packed with fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and grated Parmesan! Flavorful, simple to prepare, and budget friendly!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Keyword: mediterranean pesto pasta, pesto pasta
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 328kcal
    Author: The Cookin' Chicks

    Equipment

    • Cast Iron Skillet
    • Garlic Press

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
    • 2 zucchini's, sliced
    • 1 squash, sliced
    • 1 lb chicken breast, diced
    • 1/4 cup Pesto
    • 8 oz spaghetti noodles
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
    • Seasoning of choice
    • Parmesan cheese, grated

    Instructions

    • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a skillet.
    • Add in the zucchini and squash once oil is heated. Cook for about 5 minutes, seasoning with salt/pepper or seasoning of choice *I use Chupacabra (see link in post above)
    • Once zucchini/squash is slightly browned, remove from skillet and set aside.
    • In same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil. Add uncooked chicken and season with salt/pepper or desired seasoning. Cook about 6-8 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.
    • As chicken is cooking, boil noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain once cooked.
    • Add cooked/drained pasta to the cooked chicken.
    • Toss in the cherry tomatoes and zucchini/squash mixture.
    • Add in the Pesto and toss to coat thoroughly. *You can add more Pesto if you prefer.
    • Sprinkle Parmesan on top and serve immediately! Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 674mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 548IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

    More Chicken

    • a tangy sweet sauce with orange zest coated fried chicken pieces
      Easy Orange Chicken
    • Chicken Fried Rice in a Wok ready to be served
      Better Than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice
    • a piece of rotel king ranch chicken casserole on a plate
      King Ranch Chicken Casserole with Rotel
    • creamy, juicy chicken baked with Caesar dressing on top
      Baked Caesar Chicken
    FacebookTweetPinYummlyEmail

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Melt in your Mouth Chicken Bake
    • Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shots
    • BEST EVER Chicken and Rice Casserole
    • Chicken Pot Pie Bubble Up Casserole

    Casserole recipes

    • Chicken Pot Pie Bubble Up Casserole
    • BEST EVER Chicken and Rice Casserole
    • Parmesan Chicken Casserole
    • an up close view of biscuits and gravy breakfast casserole
      Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole

    check out all casseroles

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Legal

    • Contributors
    • Privacy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 The Cookin Chicks

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!