What Vegetables Go with Chicken Pesto Pasta? (13 Veggies)

If you’re looking to add some vegetables to your chicken pesto pasta, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve got 13 of the best veggies to add to your chicken pesto pasta dish, and trust me, they’ll take it to the next level.

So whether you’re looking for something green, something colorful, or something in between, I’ve got you covered.

See Also: What Salad Goes With Pesto Pasta?

What Vegetables Go with Chicken Pesto Pasta?

The best vegetables to pair with chicken pesto pasta are those that are light and fresh, such as tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, and leafy greens. For a heartier dish, you could also add mushrooms or eggplant.

Still looking for ideas?

Then keep scrolling!

Here are 13 vegetables that go well with chicken pesto pasta:

1. Broccoli

If health is your goal, few vegetables can match broccoli.

It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals, and it’s a great source of fiber.

But even if health isn’t your primary concern, broccoli is still a delicious vegetable that goes great in chicken pesto pasta.

I like to add it in with the chicken and other veggies (like mushrooms, onions, and peppers) to sauté before adding the pasta and pesto sauce.

You could also roast the broccoli separately for a little bit of extra flavor.

2. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is amazing because it soaks up flavors really well.

I love it in chicken pesto pasta because the cauliflower takes on the flavors of the pesto and chicken while still being a little bit al dente.

My favorite ways to add cauliflower to this dish are to either roast it in the oven with some olive oil beforehand, or to sauté it in a pan with some garlic.

Both methods help bring out the natural sweetness of the cauliflower and make it a perfect addition to this dish.

3. Carrots

Carrots add color, texture, and sweetness to chicken pesto pasta.

I like to julienne them or cut them into thin strips so they cook quickly and evenly.

You can add them to the pasta when it’s almost done cooking, or you can sauté them with the chicken and other vegetables.

If you want a more intense flavor, you can roast the carrots before adding them to the dish.

4. Peas

Peas might be small, but they are mighty in flavor and nutrition.

I love adding them to chicken pesto pasta because they add a sweetness and creaminess that takes the dish to the next level.

You can also add them to other pasta dishes, rice dishes, or even use them as a standalone side dish.

If you want to get really creative, you can even make a pea puree to use as a spread on sandwiches or toast.

5. Corn

Corn adds color and sweetness like no other vegetable.

I love to add it to chicken pesto pasta because it really brings out the flavors of the dish.

You can add corn in a few different ways:

• Roast the kernels on the cob and then cut them off
• Boil or steam whole ears of corn and then cut the kernels off
• Buy frozen corn kernels and add them directly to the dish
• Cut fresh corn off the cob and add raw kernels to the dish

6. Green Beans

Green beans will make sure that nobody goes home hungry from your chicken pesto pasta party.

They are the perfect size to top a forkful of pasta, and they have a nice crunch that contrasts well with the creamy pesto sauce.

You can add them to the pasta while it’s still hot, or you can blanch them ahead of time and add them in at the end.

I also like to put a few green beans on top of each serving, so people can pick them out if they want.

7. Mushrooms

Mushrooms have been one of my favorite veggies for years, and they go great in chicken pesto pasta.

I usually add them in with the chicken, but you could also add them in with the other veggies if you want.

Some of my favorite ways to cook mushrooms are to sauté them with garlic and butter, or to roast them in the oven with a little olive oil and sea salt.

8. Celery

Celery has a leafy and earthy flavor that goes great in chicken pesto pasta.

I like to add it at the beginning of the cooking process so that the flavors have a chance to meld together.

You can also add celery towards the end of the cooking process if you want a more pronounced flavor.

I also like to use celery leaves in my chicken pesto pasta for an extra boost of flavor.

9. Onions

Onions have a way of adding flavor and depth to recipes, and chicken pesto pasta is no exception.

One of my favorite ways to add onions to this dish is to caramelize them before adding them in.

This gives the dish a lovely sweetness that pairs well with the pesto and chicken.

You can also add them raw, which will give the dish a more sharp flavor.

If you’re looking for something in between, you can sauté the onions until they’re soft but not browned.

No matter how you choose to add them, onions are a great way to take this dish from good to great!

10. Potatoes

Why not bulk up your chicken pesto pasta with some diced potatoes?

They don’t have a strong flavor, so they won’t compete with the other ingredients, but they will add some heft and substance to the dish.

I like to parboil them before adding them to the pasta so that they cook evenly.

You could also roast them in the oven with a little olive oil and garlic before adding them to the mix.

11. Sweet Potatoes

If you don’t want to use regular potatoes in your chicken pesto pasta, sweet potatoes are a great alternative.

They have a slightly sweeter flavor that goes well with the other ingredients in the dish.

You can add them in the same way you would regular potatoes – diced or sliced and cooked until tender.

I also like to roast them before adding them to the pasta.

This brings out their natural sweetness even more and adds a nice contrast in texture to the dish.

12. Kale

Because kale has such a strong flavor, I like to use it sparingly in chicken pesto pasta.

I add it at the very end, right before serving, and only use a small handful for the entire dish.

This way, the kale doesn’t overpower the other flavors but still adds a nice depth of flavor and a pop of color.

You could also try substituting spinach for the kale or using a mix of both.

If you really want to pack in the veggies, you could sauté some diced zucchini or yellow squash along with the onions and garlic.

13. Tomatoes

Whether you use cherry tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or tomato sauce, tomatoes are a great way to add flavor and color to chicken pesto pasta.

I like to use diced tomatoes because they add a little bit of texture as well as flavor.

You can also use tomato sauce, which will give the dish a more unified flavor.

If you want to get really creative, you could even roast your own tomatoes to add to the dish.

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