Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Chicken
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Jul 9, 2025 
This easy, rich and savory 30-minute recipe for Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Chicken features a bright homemade sun-dried tomato pesto sauce paired with tender chicken and your favorite pasta noodles!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
We love pestos (and pesto pasta) of all kinds! This rustic pesto is made with sun-dried tomatoes and basil so it’s earthy, tangy, savory, and fresh in every bite. It’s a million times better than any jar of pesto you’d pick up at the grocery store!
We pair Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto with seared chicken breasts and pasta for a complete dinner that satisfies! Best of all, this easy tomato pesto sauce recipe with pasta and chicken is ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes, from start to finish.
Why You’ll Love Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta With Chicken
- Customizable – I love that you can change up this recipe however you like! Add more veggies, boost up the protein or swap for your favorite pasta!
- Quick and easy – This delicious pasta dish is ready in under 30 minutes.
- Rich and comforting – From the heart pesto and savory chicken to the al dente pasta, this recipe is the ultimate Italian comfort food.
Make sure to try this weeknight winning pesto pasta dish and you’ll for sure add it to your rota of favorites!
Ingredients and Tips
- Sun-dried tomatoes – Make sure these are packed in oil.
- Walnuts – For that nutty richness, use raw, unsalted walnuts.
- Parmesan cheese – Make sure this is freshly grated.
- Basil leaves – Use whole, fresh leaves.
- Crushed red pepper – This adds a little bit of spice.
- Dried pasta – I like rigatoni, but any kind would work.
- Chicken breast – Make sure to use boneless and skinless chicken breast.
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Regular pesto – If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes on hand or you aren’t a fan, simply omit them and make a basil pesto sauce!
- Gluten-free – For gluten-free chicken sun dried tomato pesto pasta, use you favorite gluten-free noodles!
- Vegetarian – You can easily make this pasta dish vegetarian my omitting the chicken. Serve as is or for extra protein add in white beans!
- Vegan – For a vegan pesto pasta, simply omit the parmesan cheese and chicken!
- Nuts – Swap the walnuts for almonds or pine nuts.
- Cream – Mix in some heavy cream into the pesto to make this a bit more rich.
How To Make Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta With Chicken
This bold and delicious pasta dish comes together in just a few simple steps, for a dinner that is restaurant-worthy without the fuss!
Find the full Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Chicken recipe with detailed instructions and storage tips in the printable form at the bottom of the post!
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating Leftovers – Reheat in a microwave in short bursts, or in a saucepan over medium heat.
Serving Suggestions
Garnish the chicken and pasta with more fresh basil, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes.
Make this a complete pasta dinner by serving it alongside a fresh salad and bread! Enjoy with Homemade Breadsticks, Easy Garlic Bread, or Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread for the full Italian-inspired restaurant experience.
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
For the Tomato Pesto –
- 14 ounces sun dried tomatoes in oil
- ½ cup walnuts almonds or pine nuts
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ¼ – ½ cup olive oil
For the Chicken Pesto Pasta –
- 16 ounces dried pasta I used rigatoni
- 16 ounces boneless chicken breast
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Set a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Meanwhile, place a skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and toast for 1 to 3 minutes, tossing, until they smell rich and toasty. Then turn off the heat and remove the nuts. Reserve the skillet for later use.
- Set out a food processor. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and their oils, toasted walnuts, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Purée until smooth. Scrape the bowl of the food processor. Then lock the lid back into place and purée again drizzling olive oil into the food processor, until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Once the water is boiling, drop the pasta into the water, stir, and then cook according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water to use in the sauce if needed.
- While the pasta is cooking place the skillet back over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil (or butter) to the skillet. Salt and pepper the chicken liberally on both sides. Then sear the chicken breasts for 5 to 6 minutes per side. Once fully cooked, move the chicken breasts to a cutting board and let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing into thin pieces.
- When ready to serve, move the cooked pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add about half of the sun-dried tomato pesto. Mix well, adding a little bit of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the pesto. Add in more pesto if you like. You can use it all, or save some for later use.
- Once the pasta is well coated in pesto, stir in the sliced chicken pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
The deep tangy flavor and silky consistency of this sun dried tomato pesto recipe makes it perfect to smear on sandwiches. Or include it in a charcuterie platter for dipping!
It can also be used in other pasta dishes. Try it in place of the suggested recipe pesto in dishes like Chicken Pesto Pasta, Pesto Chicken Tortellini, and Baked Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Chicken.
If you are looking for a fabulous chicken pasta recipe that doesn’t include pesto, try my No-Boil Chicken Parmesan Pasta or One Pot Chicken Pasta with Light Basil Cream Sauce.
Pesto is a blend of good olive oil, nuts, cheese, garlic, and WHATEVER else you would like to put in it! Try making it with artichokes, roasted vegetables, spinach, arugula, or sauteed mushrooms.
With this sun-dried tomato pesto recipe, short or small noodles with holes where the sauce can fill are great to use. Something like penne, ziti, rigatoni, campanelle, casarecce, shells, bow ties, or orrechiette would all work well!
I make something similar but using store bought pesto. I’ll now make your homemade recipe. It’s delicious. If I want to make a really rich sauce, I use the pesto, spinach, chicken broth, wine and herb and garlic goat cheese. Thank you for this recipe.
Such an amazing meal for weeknights! My whole family really enjoyed it! Thanks!
We love pesto so I knew I had to make this right when I saw it. It didnt disappoint!! What a yummy dish!
I looove this pasta dish!! It is so yummy & the leftovers are great too!!