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Tomato Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken is a light, flavorful and healthy summer dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes! A can of Redpack Petite Diced Tomatoes and a handful of other pantry staples come together in a simple, wholesome meal that the whole family will love!

Grilled chicken breasts are a staple in just about everyone’s warm-weather dinner routine, so today we’re jazzing them up with a family-friendly dinner that comes together in minutes!

This easy supper can be prepared in advance for crazy weeknights, and the leftovers create quick lunches for busy days. Best of all, the prep time is minimal, thanks to a can of Redpack Petite Diced Tomatoes, which you can stash in your kitchen for last-minute meals!

Can of Red Pack Tomatoes in front of a bowl of spaghetti with tomato pesto sauce

How to Make Tomato Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken:

Let’s get this dinner started! First, you’ll brush the chicken breast with a little bit of olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.

Brushing chicken breasts with olive oil

Grill the chicken on an outdoor grill, on an indoor grill pan, or even in a skillet on the stovetop.

Grilled chicken breasts on a grill pan

While the chicken cooks, boil and drain your favorite pasta.

Cooked spaghetti in a colander

Now it’s time for the red pesto pasta sauce! You’ll need a large 28-ounce can of either drained Redpack Petite Diced Tomatoes or Redpack Diced Tomatoes. I prefer the texture of a sauce made with petite diced tomatoes, but the regular diced tomatoes will also work.

No matter which size you choose, make sure that you’re using the Redpack Tomatoes brand!

Two large cans of Red Pack diced tomatoes

Redpack Tomatoes are family owned and family grown. For more than 75 years, the Redpack family partners with local farmers to create the freshest, best tasting tomato products in the world. As a fourth-generation family owned business, Redpack is passionate about offering high quality ingredients that help home cooks like us turn everyday meals into family favorites.

The tomatoes are:

  • Steam packed fresh
  • Proudly made in the USA
  • Packaged in Non-BPA/BPS cans
  • Include nothing artificial!

This tomato pesto pasta is the perfect way to turn a high quality pantry staple into an easy, delicious meal!

Overhead shot of tomato pesto sauce in a white cast iron pot

To make the sauce, simply stir together the diced tomatoes with prepared basil pesto and a bit of fresh lemon juice. Warm it on the stovetop, and 5 minutes later, your tomato pesto sauce is done!

Stirring tomato pesto sauce with a wooden spoon

I like to serve a bowl of pasta topped with sliced grilled chicken and finished with plenty of the red sauce. A garnish of fresh basil and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan completes the meal.

Of course, you can also just toss all of the ingredients together in one big bowl before serving!

Fork twirling pasta with tomato pesto sauce and grilled chicken in a bowl

Can you eat tomato pesto pasta cold?

Definitely! On a hot day, you might prefer this meal at room temperature or cold. Just toss everything together and enjoy it like a cold pasta salad!

Can pesto pasta be reheated?

Yes! This is a nice make-ahead option that you can reheat easily throughout the week. I like to assemble an individual serving in a bowl and then microwave for 1-2 minutes, just until warm. Be careful not to overcook the chicken and pasta or it will become tough.

Tip: to make sure that your pasta doesn’t stick together once it’s cool, toss the warm pasta in olive oil or butter just after draining.

Front shot of bowl of spaghetti with tomato pesto sauce garnished with fresh basil

What should I serve with Tomato Pesto Pasta?

Since this dish includes vegetables, lean protein, and carbohydrates, you really don’t need to add anything more to the menu! That said, here are a few easy sides that pair nicely with the Italian-inspired recipe:

Bowl of pasta with pesto sauce and grilled chicken with can of tomatoes in background

Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations:

  • You can substitute regular Redpack 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 tomato pesto pasta vegetarian by omitting the chicken. The pasta and sauce will still taste flavorful and delicious — no meat necessary!
Close overhead shot of pasta with tomato pesto sauce and sliced grilled chicken

Other easy ways to use your Redpack Tomatoes:

Overhead shot of bowl of Tomato Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken surrounded by fresh herbs

Tomato Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 559 kcal
Tomato Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken is a light, flavorful and healthy summer dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes!

Ingredients
  

  • 24 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti, linguine or angel hair pasta
  • 1 (28 ounce) can Redpack petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • ÂĽ cup prepared basil pesto
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Optional garnish: grated Parmesan cheese; fresh basil

Instructions

  • Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • 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).
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
  • 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.
  • Divide pasta evenly between serving plates. Top each plate of pasta with ÂĽ 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

Serving: 1bowl of pasta topped with chicken and 1/2 cup of sauceCalories: 559kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 47gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 607mgPotassium: 1337mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 790IUVitamin C: 21.8mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 4mg
Keyword: Pesto pasta, pesto pasta recipe with chicken, pesto pasta sauce
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Blair Lonergan

blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

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