Spoon Simple
Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken
Fresh basil pesto pasta with juicy grilled chicken — vibrant, flavorful, and ready in 25 minutes. A bright, satisfying dinner the whole family will request again and again.
Prep 5 min
Cook 20 min
Total 25 min
Serves 4
Ingredients
Step 1 — Cook the pasta
- 12 oz rotini, penne, or fusilli
- Salted water (for boiling)
Step 2 — Cook the chicken
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast (thin-sliced or pounded)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Step 3 — Toss with pesto
- ⅔ cup store-bought basil pesto (or homemade)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta
Cook pasta in heavily salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- 2
Cook the chicken
Season chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice.
- 3
Toss with pesto
Toss drained pasta with pesto. Add pasta water a little at a time until sauce coats the pasta. Stir in Parmesan and cherry tomatoes. Top with sliced chicken and fresh basil. Serve immediately.
Nutrition per serving: 570 cal · 44g protein · 52g carbs · 20g fat · 4g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
