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!

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Pesto pasta, pesto pasta recipe with chicken, pesto pasta sauce

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings people

Calories 559kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

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 ¼ of the grilled chicken and about ½ cup of tomato pesto sauce. Garnish with grated Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.

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!