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Tomato Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken
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Tomato Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken

Tomato Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken is a light, flavorful and healthy summer dinner that's ready in about 30 minutes!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 559 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces chicken breast boneless, skinless
  • olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine or angel hair pasta, uncooked
  • 1 (28 ounce) tomato Redpack brand, petite diced, canned, drained
  • ¼ cup basil pesto prepared
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
  • Parmesan Cheese optional garnish; grated parmesan cheese; fresh basil
  • basil optional garnish; grated parmesan cheese; fresh basil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  2. Heat a nonstick pan, grill pan, or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Coat grill or pan with about a teaspoon of oil so that the chicken doesn’t stick. Sear or grill chicken on each side until golden, crispy and cooked through (about 5-6 minutes per side, or until meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F).
  3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
  4. In a large skillet or saucepan, heat Redpack petite diced tomatoes, pesto, and lemon juice over medium heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  5. Divide pasta evenly between serving plates. Top each plate of pasta with ¼ of the grilled chicken and about ½ cup of tomato pesto sauce. Garnish with grated Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.

Notes

  • You can substitute regular Red Pack diced tomatoes for the petite diced tomatoes.
  • For a quicker weeknight dinner, you can even grill the chicken in advance (over the weekend, for example), and then just reheat it when you cook your pasta and stir together your sauce.
  • Make your pesto pasta with shrimp instead of chicken! You can either grill your own shrimp or purchase cooked shrimp for a shortcut.
  • Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken as a shortcut substitute for the grilled chicken.
  • Grilled chicken thighs will also work!
  • I've kept the grilled chicken simple with just salt and pepper, but you can add even more flavor to the dish by marinating your chicken in your favorite Italian salad dressing before grilling.
  • Use your favorite pasta shape -- spaghetti, linguine, angel hair, or even penne will all work!
  • Make this pesto pasta vegetarian by omitting the chicken. The pasta and sauce will still taste flavorful and delicious -- no meat necessary!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bowl of pasta topped with chicken and 1/2 cup of sauce Calories 559kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 58g (19%) Protein 47g (94%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 110mg (37%) Sodium 607mg (25%) Potassium 1337mg (28%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 790IU (16%) Vitamin C 21.8mg (24%) Calcium 113mg (11%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 559

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bowl of pasta topped with chicken and 1/2 cup of sauce
Calories 559kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 58g 19%
Protein 47g 94%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 110mg 37%
Sodium 607mg 25%
Potassium 1337mg 28%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 790IU 16%
Vitamin C 21.8mg 24%
Calcium 113mg 11%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.