The Best Gluten Free Chicken Pesto Pasta

Gluten Free Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delicious and healthy dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a flavorful basil pesto sauce, all tossed with gluten free pasta. It's a perfect meal for those who need to avoid gluten but still crave a hearty and satisfying pasta dish.

Looking for more gluten free chicken dishes? Check out this Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan! It's made with all clean and real food ingredients!

Why You'll Love this Gluten Free Chicken Pesto Pasta

It's super easy and comes together in under 30 minutes!
It's a fantastic way to use up leftover chicken.

Ingredients Needed

Gluten Free Pasta
Cooked Chicken
Nut Free Pesto
Onion

While you can of course use any pesto you like, I'm partial to my nut free pesto! If you're feeding extended family or guests, you don't have to worry if anyone has a nut allergy. And it tastes great!

You can also try this fennel frond pesto for something different!

I try to eat as clean as possible with real food ingredients, so I occasionally use Jovial's Grain Free Pasta! They have lots of shapes and varieties too!

See the recipe card below for quantities!

Substitutions and Variations

Try using Fennel Frond Pesto for a unique variation!
Add veggies such as broccoli, carrots, peas, asparagus, or sugar snap peas.
Try a different protein such as sausage!
Add on top real parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or parsley!

How to Make this Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken

Start by making the gluten free pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside, but reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.

In a large saucepan or a Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic for 2 minutes, stirring.

Add in the heavy cream and pesto, mix to combine and let thicken.

Mix in the cooked pasta and chicken, and if needed, add in the reserved pasta cooking water little by little

Top with any add-ons and enjoy!

Storage and Reheating

Store any leftovers in the fridge inside an airtight container for up to 3 days.

When you're ready to reheat the leftovers, heat them in a skillet over medium heat on the stove top. Stir frequently until the desired temperature is reached.

You can also heat them in a microwave, although the stovetop is the preferred method.

Top Tip

Is pesto gluten free?

Yes, pesto is typically gluten free! I have never seen a store bought pesto or a recipe to make it at home ever call for a gluten containing ingredient, but always check your label to be sure!

Is gluten free chicken pesto pasta a healthy recipe?

While everyone defines healthy a bit differently, in my personal opinion this is a healthy recipe! The pasta I prefer to use is made from root vegetables so there's no grains involved. There is the addition of veggies, protein in the form of chicken, and a nutritious pesto if you make the nut free pesto I recommend!

The Best Gluten Free Pesto Chicken Pasta

Rachel Rivera

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Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

12-16 oz. gluten free pasta
½-3/4 cup pesto
2 cups cooked chicken
2 tbsp. butter
5 cloves garlic minced
1 onion chopped
1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Before draining it, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set it aside. Then drain the pasta and set it aside.
In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Sauté the onion and garlic for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Slowly pour in the heavy cream while you stir, then mix in the pesto as well.
Add in the pasta and chicken and mix thoroughly. The sauce will cling to the pasta and start to thicken right away.
If you'd like the sauce thicker, slowly add splashes of the reserved pasta cooking water while you stir, until the desired thickness is reached. Enjoy!