Skip to main content
Presto Pesto Chicken and Leek Penne
Presto Pesto Chicken and Leek Penne

Presto Pesto Chicken and Leek Penne

with Cheddar and Rocket

Recipe Development Team
Recipe Development TeamUpdated on September 30, 2025

Hey presto! This speedy Presto Pesto Chicken and Leek Penne is ready in under 25 minutes. Chicken has been added here for an elevated version of classic pesto pasta.

Tags:
Family Friendly
Chef's Choice
High Protein
Allergens:
Cereals containing gluten
Wheat
Milk
Nuts
Cashew nuts

The quantities provided above are averages only.

Boxes and ingredients are packed in facilities that handles Peanut, Nuts, Sesame, Fish, Crustaceans, Milk, Egg, Mustard, Celery, Soya, Gluten and Sulphites. Due to the war in Ukraine, it has been necessary to substitute sunflower oil with rapeseed oil in some products without a label change. The FSA have advised that allergic reactions to rapeseed oil are rare.

Total20 minutes
Active 20 minutes
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

serving amount

180 grams

Penne Pasta

(Contains: Cereals containing gluten, Wheat May contain traces of: Mustard, Soya)

1 unit(s)

Garlic Clove

30 grams

Mature Cheddar Cheese

(Contains: Milk)

1 unit(s)

Leek

240 grams

Diced British Chicken Breast

10 grams

Chicken Stock Paste

150 grams

Creme Fraiche

(Contains: Milk)

30 grams

Basil Pesto

(Contains: Nuts, Cashew nuts, Milk May contain traces of: Peanut)

20 grams

Wild Rocket

Not included in your delivery

100 milliliter(s)

Water for the Sauce

Nutritional information

Energy (kJ)3766 kJ
Energy (kcal)900 kcal
Fat43.3 g
of which saturates20.5 g
Carbohydrate75 g
of which sugars9.6 g
Dietary Fibre7.4 g
Protein49.8 g
Salt1.95 g
Always refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information.

Utensils

Medium Saucepan
Kettle
Grater
Pan

Cooking Instructions and Tips

1

a) Boil a full kettle.

b) Pour the boiled water into a large saucepan with 0.5 tsp salt on high heat.

c) Add the penne and bring back to the boil. Cook until tender, 12 mins.

d) Once cooked, drain in a colander and pop back in the pan. Drizzle with oil and stir through to stop it sticking together.

2

a) While the pasta cooks, peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press).

b) Grate the cheese.

c) Trim the root and dark green leafy part from the leek and discard. Halve lengthways, then thinly slice.

3

a) Heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on medium-high heat.

b) Once hot, add the diced chicken and leek to the pan and season with salt and pepper.

c) Fry until golden brown on the outside and cooked through, 8-10 mins. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw chicken and its packaging. It's cooked when no longer pink in the middle.

4

a) Add the garlic to the cooked chicken and cook for 1 min.

b) Stir in the water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) and chicken stock paste.

c) Bring to a boil, then simmer until reduced by half, 3-4 mins.

5

a) Stir the creme fraiche into the sauce and simmer for 3-4 mins, then remove from the heat.

b) Mix in the cooked penne, half the cheese and three quarters of the pesto.

c) Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Add a splash of water if the sauce is a little too thick.

6

a) Share the creamy chicken pesto pasta between your bowls.

b) Drizzle over the remaining pesto and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

c) Top with a handful of rocket to finish.

Enjoy!

This week's must-try HelloFresh recipes

Hearty Aubergine and Lentil Veggie Moussaka

Hearty Aubergine and Lentil Veggie Moussaka

with Tenderstem® Broccoli and Garlic Ciabatta
Fragrant Lamb Noodle Stir-Fry

Fragrant Lamb Noodle Stir-Fry

with Mushrooms, Carrot and Lime
Speedy Butter Chicken Baked Naan

Speedy Butter Chicken Baked Naan

with Baby Gem Salad
Harissa Cranberry Chicken on Bulgur

Harissa Cranberry Chicken on Bulgur

with Spinach
Rapid Roasted Pepper and Aubergine Linguine

Rapid Roasted Pepper and Aubergine Linguine

with Italian Style Cheese and Chives
Cheesy Chipotle Bean Quesadillas

Cheesy Chipotle Bean Quesadillas

with Tomato & Rocket Salad and Soured Cream
Easy Harissa Sweet Potato, Dill & Butter Bean Bowl

Easy Harissa Sweet Potato, Dill & Butter Bean Bowl

with Bell Pepper and Garlic Ciabatta Dippers
Oven-Baked Carbonara Inspired Risotto

Oven-Baked Carbonara Inspired Risotto

with Bacon, Black Pepper and Pear & Balsamic Dressed Rocket Salad
Super Quick Cheeseburger Inspired Rice Bowl

Super Quick Cheeseburger Inspired Rice Bowl

with Burger Sauce Rocket Slaw, Cheese and Crispy Onions
Oven-Baked Chorizo and Tomato Risotto

Oven-Baked Chorizo and Tomato Risotto

with Italian Style Cheese, Rocket and Balsamic Drizzle
Spiced Chicken on Baked Thai Style Rice

Spiced Chicken on Baked Thai Style Rice

with Green Veg, Sweet Chilli Drizzle and Peanuts
Speedy Herby Sausage Linguine

Speedy Herby Sausage Linguine

with Mushrooms, Pesto and Spinach
Korma and Mango Chutney Glazed Chicken

Korma and Mango Chutney Glazed Chicken

with Green Beans, Zesty Couscous and Tomato Salsa
Creamy Bacon and Mustard Penne

Creamy Bacon and Mustard Penne

with Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
Banging Bangers and Garlic Mash

Banging Bangers and Garlic Mash

with Roasted Veg and Red Wine Gravy
Easy Peasy Spinach and Ricotta Tortelloni

Easy Peasy Spinach and Ricotta Tortelloni

with Creamy Pesto Sauce, Peas and Mushrooms
15 Minute Cheesy Bacon Orzo

15 Minute Cheesy Bacon Orzo

with Pesto, Mushrooms and Rocket
Honey Sesame Beef and Pork Stir-Fry

Honey Sesame Beef and Pork Stir-Fry

with Egg Noodles, Tenderstem® Broccoli and Carrot
Glazed Peri Peri Chicken Thighs

Glazed Peri Peri Chicken Thighs

with Herby Chips and Zesty Green Beans & Peas
Cosy Sausages in Mushroom Sauce

Cosy Sausages in Mushroom Sauce

with Garlic Mash and Roasted Carrots