Summer can make the [already challenging] job of feeding the family even more of a doozy. It’s hot, you’re busy with summer activities, and it feels like you have been feeding kids all day. After trying out a ton of different summer chicken recipes, this chicken pesto pasta has won the hearts of my whole family.
I love this chicken pesto pasta because it is so easy to make, my kids gobble it up, it’s light, healthy, and makes for the perfect hot day meal.
Summer Chicken Recipes
In the summer, I use the grill as much as possible. It helps keep the house cool, and who doesn’t love a good grilled meal? And while we love a good hamburger, steak, rack of ribs, pork chop, etc. Chicken is cheap and a protein that kids will eat 90% of the time.
A few of my go to summer chicken recipes include:
- Seasoned & Grilled Chicken Legs with a side of veggies or fruit – My kids love eating “chicken on the bone”.
- Grilled Chicken Sandwiches (Chicken Breasts)- This one can be fun because the kids can make it how they want it. Or if they won’t eat a sandwich, they can always eat cut up chicken with their favorite dip.
- Seasoned Chicken Thighs with veggies or fruit – Corn on the cob is a good one to add to this one! I like the bone in, skin on chicken thighs.
- Chicken Pesto Pasta – I honestly couldn’t believe how much my kids like this one. And it is consistently a big hit!
- Chicken Tacos – Sometimes I do these in the crock pot, and other times on the grill. Either way, these are always a winner.
Let’s Get On To It! Chicken Pesto Pasta Your Whole Family Will Love!
As I said before, my kids surprised me with how much they like this chicken pesto pasta. The first time I made it, I only mixed it up fully for my husband and I, and gave everything separated to my kids. They they all asked for it the way we had it, and they destroyed it!
That being said, don’t write this one off as one your kids won’t touch. They just may surprise you!
Step One: Prepare your Ingredients and Gather Your Supplies
Supplies needed:
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Pot to cook pasta in
- Strainer to drain the pasta
- Grill, Oven, or pan to stove fry your chicken.
Ingredients Needed:
- Grilled chicken breast – Or cooked however you like. Diced into bit size pieces.
- Cooked pasta of your choice- I typically use the large macaroni noodles. However, anything will work.
- Pesto – My favorite is the Member’s Mark brand (Sam’s Club). And you really can’t beat the price! My youngest literally eats this pesto by itself. haha!
- Grape or cherry tomatoes
- Diced cucumber – I prefer English cucumbers
- Feta cheese
- Garlic parmesan seasoning – Mine is the Weber’s brand (Also purchased at Sam’s Club!)
- Grated parmesan cheese for extra topping (optional)
First, prepare your chicken and pasta to your liking.
Drain the pasta and let it cool for a little bit, or rinse under cold water. Note: The pasta does not have to be perfectly cold.
After the chicken is cooked and cooled enough to handle, dice it into bite sized pieces.
Step Two: Add Ingredients to a Bowl
After you have prepared your chicken and pasta, add them to a large mixing bowl.
Next add the tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, pesto, and seasoning.
Step Three: Mix, Serve, and Enjoy!
Thirdly, mix everything together until it is coated with the pesto, and everything is well combined.
Finally, serve your chicken pesto pasta! Top with freshly grated parmesan if you so desire.
Cooking with kids tip: If you want to include your kids in this meal, this is a great one to do it! Have the kids dump the ingredients in a bowl and help mix it up! Easy day!
Summer Chicken Recipes : Chicken Pesto Pasta
This chicken pesto pasta is really that easy! And I will share some tips to make it even easier below! (What? Is that even possible!?)
Now if you’ve gotten to the end of this and you are still not convinced your kids will eat this. Try serving everything separately to them first and see where it goes. I know that everyone parents differently, but I do not cool separate meals for my kids. We all eat the same thing. I simply make sure to always have something “safe” (a food I know they like) on the plate for every meal. In this case it is cucumbers and pasta.
Tips to Simplify Your Chicken Pesto Pasta Even More:
- Use frozen chicken breasts that you can just toss in the oven. Sam’s Club (yeah, I know. But I LOVE Sam’s club! Ha!) has some really awesome options for this that are a great price. (I recently got a 3lb bag for 7 bucks!) It comes out juicy and perfect every single time. I really like their mesquite grilled chicken and garlic herb seasoned chicken.
- I also love these for the days when I forget to pull something out of the freezer, or I just have very low motivation to cook!
- If buying the pre-prepared bags is not something you don’t like to do, you could also make them yourself by seasoning and cooking chicken breasts. Allow them to cool completely and then freeze them for use later. And check out some more of my freezer meal prep tips here!
- You can also use rotisserie chicken, simply shred or dice and you’re good to go!
- For kids who will not eat pesto. Simply give them the chicken and veggies on the size, and serve plain pasta with grated parmesan cheese and seasoning. (My kids also love this!)
Additionally, if you want your dish to be lighter on the carbs, simply use less pasta and more chicken.
Summer Recipes For Tired Moms
I get burnt out quickly on cooking and feeding my family. Especially when the kids are asking for snacks every thirty seconds. *SCREAM* haha!
I really love this chicken pesto pasta because it is so incredibly easy, and customizable for different occasions. It also does well as a leftover for another easy meal on a different day.
What are some of your favorite summer chicken recipes? I’d love if you shared them in the comments below!
Looking for some more inspiration? Check out these posts!
Best Ever Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Italian Inspired Pasta Salad Recipe – A staple from my childhood
Naan Bread Pizza for a Quick and Easy Lunch
You are doing amazing!
