A delicious pairing with the addition of the flavorful marinated and grilled chicken, tomato basil pasta with balsamic grilled chicken is a light and fresh pasta recipe that is ideal for summer.
I ended up growing three tomato plants in my garden this spring, and by the end of the summer I’ll be looking for as many ways as I can to use them. I always make this tomato cucumber salad for a quick and easy side dish to serve with grilled chicken or fish.
When I want a main dish recipe using a lot of tomatoes, my go-to is this tomato basil pasta with balsamic grilled chicken. I also end up using quite a few when I make my favorite black bean and corn salsa salad, which is not only a great side dish, but you can also eat it like a salsa with tortilla chips.
The best season to make this tomato basil pasta is in the summer when tomatoes are in season and taste the best. This simple pasta recipe is what I consider fresh and light. It doesn’t use a lot of ingredients, but the ones it does use are full of flavor.
Grilled Chicken in Creamy Pasta
30-Minute Lemony Pasta with Grilled Chicken 🔗
Grilled poultry with a light and bright sauce makes this lemony pasta with chicken a surefire win for dinner. It’s a simple but elegant 30-minute meal.
Prep: 5min
Total: 30min
Serving Size: 4
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 4, calories 758 calories, Sugar 3.9 g, Sodium 453.2 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Saturated Fat 4.1 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 87.7 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 52 g, Cholesterol 117.4 mg
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 2-2.5 lbs.)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh basil, or 1/4 teaspoon dried
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan, for serving
Instruction:
- Preheat grill or grill pan.
- Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper on all sides. Grill over medium-high heat until no longer pink inside, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove from grill and cover with aluminum foil. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, parsley, and basil to the pan and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Pour lemon juice into skillet, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Pour lemon and oil mixture into a large serving bowl. Drain the pasta, then add it to the serving bowl. Toss well, until pasta is coated.
- Slice chicken into strips, add to the bowl, and toss again. Sprinkle with lemon zest. Serve immediately, with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
FAQ
Does olive oil work with grilling chicken?
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil adds flavor and prevents the chicken from sticking to the grill. It also helps the chicken get a nice crispy char on the outside by adding some good, healthy fat.
How do you grill chicken without drying it out?
Brining is simply immersing the chicken in a salt-water solution prior to grilling, which helps the chicken get great grill marks and prevents it from overcooking on the grill due to the increased surface moisture and sugars that brown quickly.
Does chicken go with pasta Italy?
In Italian cuisine, chicken is strictly reserved for the secondo, or second course. It may be because the texture of chicken and cooked pasta are too similar, or it may simply be because Nonna never made it that way, but pasta with chicken is unheard of in British and American kitchens.
Do you Season chicken before or after grilling?
You can use it right before grilling and not let it sit at all, but I think the flavor is best when it has a chance to “marinate” into the chicken. I think 1-4 hours is the ideal time to let this mixture sit on the chicken, but you can leave it longer.