This post is sponsored by Barilla, but all the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Our new baby is scheduled to arrive in less than 2 months! I can’t believe it’s almost time already. It seems that my babies are always the neediest right as I begin to fix dinner. Does this happen to anyone else? Rather than resorting to take-out night after night, the past few weeks I have been spending a lot of time making a list of wholesome meals that I can have on the table quickly and with minimal effort, plus trying to create a few new, quick-prep recipes we can enjoy as well.
Today I wanted to share with you one of my new favorite quick-serve meals: my Quick and Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe. It takes just 5 minutes to get it on the table and costs about $2.50 per person when I make it for our family of 6 (plus we usually have leftovers for later)! Even better, this is a recipe that even my picky kids will devour!
Quick and Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- (2) packages of Barilla Ready Pasta: Penne or Rotini (I used Rotini this time but have used penne in the past – they are both great choices for this recipe)
- (2) jars of Barilla Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce, 6.0 OZ
- (1) Rotisserie Chicken (pre-cooked)
- Fresh Diced Tomatoes (You can find freshly diced tomatoes ready to go at Walmart. Look for the Marketside brand.)
Directions
- Warm the Barilla Ready pasta in the microwave – it takes just 60 seconds per bag! Microwave each bag separately for best results and don’t forget to vent the package.
- While the pasta is warming in the microwave, shred bite-sized pieces of chicken from the rotisserie chicken.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, Barilla Ready Pasta, and Barilla Pasta Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce then toss until chicken and pasta pieces are well coated.
- Garnish the top of the Chicken Pesto Pasta with diced tomato. (My kids love being able to add this topping on themselves!)
- Serve immediately
That’s it! This meal is so simple and yet bursting with flavor! Pair it with a bagged salad mix and rolls from the Walmart deli for a no-fuss weeknight meal!
Since we will (very soon) have 5 kids, ages 8 and under in our home, I’m loving foods that allow me to make a home-cooked meal in a fraction of the time, like the Barilla Ready Pasta. I can have this meal on our table in just 5 minutes! You really can’t beat that!
Barilla Ready Pasta is Non-GMO and can be found in the pasta aisle. The packages, which warm in the microwave in a mere 60 seconds, include just 3 simple ingredients: sea salt, olive oil, and pasta. You can find Barilla Ready Pasta in penne, gemelli, elbows, and rotini shapes.
Over the next few weeks, I plan to experiment more with Barilla’s Ready Pasta so I can create a number of flavorful meals my family can enjoy, in a fraction of the time!
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Lauryn R says
April 20, 2018 at 11:30 amI am a big pasta fan and this recipe sounds delicious! I love how super quick and easy it is, and I had no idea that Barilla had ready made pasta! I have seen rice in this fashion before, but never pasta! Talk about a time saver, I can’t wait to try some! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe, I can’t wait to make it for my family now. 🙂
Nupur says
April 20, 2018 at 2:29 pmI will love to try this recipe. It looks simple yet yummy 😋
Mia says
April 20, 2018 at 2:32 pmI have seen the ready pasta but have not given it a try yet. I think this would be a good recipe to use it in plus I am a fan of pesto sauce.
Linda Manns Linneman says
April 21, 2018 at 5:37 amThis sounds so good. So easy to make. Great for a busy night meal. Thank you so much for sharing
Shakeia Rieux says
April 21, 2018 at 7:56 amThis looks delicious! I definitely have to make this tonight, I have some of the ingredients already.
ERIN ABALOS says
April 21, 2018 at 4:24 pmMy daughter loves pasta, so I’m sure this will be a hit at our house!
Cynthia C says
April 23, 2018 at 9:03 amI would love to try Ready Pasta for meals in just minutes. How convenient!
Amelia Bayless says
April 23, 2018 at 5:34 pmWe really like Barilla Pasta Ready and use it at home fairly often. It makes a quick and easy meal!
kathy pease says
April 24, 2018 at 2:19 pmThis looks so yummy and I will have to try out the recipe 🙂
gloria patterson says
April 24, 2018 at 3:40 pmI have had this pasta and it is fast and easy! Love Pesto sauce but have never bought any in a jar because it pesto gives me major heartburn. But I think I will try the jar and see if it does
Dana Rodriguez says
April 25, 2018 at 1:28 pmThis is a great idea for a quick meal. We purchased Rotisserie Chicken last weekend and I used it in chicken salad for lunches for the week 🙂
Dandi D says
April 30, 2018 at 7:18 amThis looks really yummy and I think my whole family would enjoy it!
Melissa Storms says
April 30, 2018 at 8:00 amThis looks like a delicious and quick meal. I think it would be awesome for the summer months.
Jennifer H. says
May 1, 2018 at 2:45 pmWe have have been wanting to try pesto. Thanks for the info!
Nidhi Chauhan says
May 1, 2018 at 6:14 pmI have to try this recipe. It looks yummy.
Deanna Marissa says
May 1, 2018 at 11:34 pmThis looks delicious, easy and quick to make. Thanks for sharing!
Denise Low says
May 6, 2018 at 7:48 pmThank you for sharing. This looks great and simple to make.
Shannon says
May 10, 2018 at 4:25 pmLooks great. I love easy meal ideas!
rochelle haynes says
June 8, 2018 at 9:56 amlooking good and tasty
ellen beck says
June 10, 2018 at 11:57 pmThis looks good. I dont know why, I just havent used pesto much at home. I have enjoyed it at thers houses, but never made it. I might have to change that.
gloria patterson says
June 13, 2018 at 6:51 pmI bought this ready pasta last week and it is wonderful. Pesto gives me major heartburn so I don’t keep it around cause I like it. But I had cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and cheese. Made a great quick less than 10 minute total meal.