Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Tomatoes

Health score
24%
Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Tomatoes
40 min.
6
397kcal

Suggestions


Are you ready to elevate your pasta game? This delightful Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Tomatoes is not only a feast for the eyes but also a burst of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Perfectly cooked fusilli or rotini pasta is tossed with a vibrant homemade pesto, made from fresh basil, garlic, and a hint of lemon juice, creating a refreshing and aromatic sauce that clings beautifully to every twist of pasta.

In just 40 minutes, you can whip up this dish that serves six, making it an ideal choice for family lunches or gatherings with friends. The grilled chicken breast adds a hearty protein punch, while the cherry tomatoes, grilled to perfection, provide a sweet and juicy contrast. With a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and toasted pine nuts, each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavors.

Not only is this recipe delicious, but it also offers a balanced caloric breakdown, making it a satisfying meal without the guilt. Whether you serve it as a main course or a side dish, this Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Tomatoes is sure to impress. So grab your apron, fire up the grill, and let’s create a dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Ingredients

  • tablespoons balsamic vinegar divided
  • teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
  • cups cherry tomatoes 
  • cups basil fresh
  • ounces rotini pasta uncooked (corkscrew pasta)
  •  garlic clove peeled
  • teaspoon kosher salt 
  • tablespoon juice of lemon fresh
  • 0.3 cup olive oil extra virgin extra-virgin
  • medium onion cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • 0.3 cup parmesan fresh divided finely grated
  • tablespoons pinenuts toasted
  • 18 ounce chicken breast halves boneless skinless

Equipment

  • food processor
  • bowl
  • grill
  • aluminum foil

Directions

  1. Preheat grill to high heat.
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
  3. Place in a large bowl, and keep warm.
  4. Place garlic in food processor; process until minced.
  5. Add basil and next 4 ingredients (through pepper). With processor on, slowly pour oil through food chute; process until smooth.
  6. Brush 1 tablespoon vinegar over onion slices; brush remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar over chicken.
  7. Place 2 cups tomatoes in center of each of 2 (24- x 12-inch) pieces of foil. Fold foil over tomatoes; tightly seal edges.
  8. Place chicken, onion, and foil pouches on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill chicken, onion, and foil pouches 15 minutes or until onion is tender and tomatoes pop, turning all after 5 minutes.
  9. Remove onion and foil pouches from grill; turn chicken over, and cook an additional 5 minutes or until done.
  10. Let chicken stand 5 minutes. Chop onion; cut chicken into into 1/4-inch slices.
  11. Add pesto, tomatoes, chicken, and onion to pasta; toss well.
  12. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese; toss gently.
  13. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over servings.
  14. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories397kcal
Protein27.38%
Fat35.74%
Carbs36.88%

Properties

Glycemic Index
46.33
Glycemic Load
12.45
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
23.385217345279%

Flavonoids

Eriodictyol
0.12mg
Hesperetin
0.36mg
Naringenin
0.03mg
Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.02mg
Isorhamnetin
0.92mg
Kaempferol
0.13mg
Myricetin
0.03mg
Quercetin
4.44mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:396.51kcal
19.83%
Fat:15.71g
24.18%
Saturated Fat:2.94g
18.36%
Carbohydrates:36.48g
12.16%
Net Carbohydrates:33.83g
12.3%
Sugar:5.33g
5.93%
Cholesterol:58.21mg
19.4%
Sodium:591.38mg
25.71%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:27.08g
54.17%
Selenium:53.16µg
75.95%
Vitamin K:60.73µg
57.84%
Vitamin B3:10.35mg
51.73%
Manganese:0.99mg
49.36%
Vitamin B6:0.83mg
41.62%
Phosphorus:350.89mg
35.09%
Vitamin C:28.49mg
34.54%
Vitamin A:1191.04IU
23.82%
Potassium:719.85mg
20.57%
Magnesium:73.03mg
18.26%
Vitamin E:2.49mg
16.58%
Vitamin B5:1.6mg
16%
Copper:0.32mg
15.77%
Iron:2.27mg
12.63%
Calcium:120.09mg
12.01%
Zinc:1.68mg
11.22%
Fiber:2.64g
10.58%
Vitamin B1:0.15mg
10.27%
Vitamin B2:0.17mg
10.1%
Folate:36.87µg
9.22%
Vitamin B12:0.24µg
3.95%
Source:My Recipes