Description
Creamy chicken and asparagus pesto pasta delights palates with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Classic Italian ingredients blend seamlessly, offering home cooks a quick and satisfying meal you can enjoy any weeknight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta (gluten-free optional)
- 1 lb asparagus (woody ends trimmed)
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) pesto
- 3 tbsps Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps pine nuts (toasted)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh chopped basil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Extra Pecorino Romano (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the grill to medium-high heat. Saturate chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Drizzle asparagus spears with olive oil and season lightly.
- Grilling Proteins: Lay chicken on hot grates, cooking 4-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 160-165°F. Transfer to resting surface. Meanwhile, char asparagus for 2 minutes on each side until tender with light grill marks, then slice diagonally into bite-sized segments.
- Pasta Assembly: Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain completely. In a generous mixing bowl, amalgamate cooked pasta with sliced grilled chicken, charred asparagus, vibrant pesto sauce, fresh lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese. Calibrate seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
- Finishing Touch: Elegantly scatter toasted pine nuts and delicate torn basil leaves across the dish. Serve piping hot for an indulgent main course or chill for a refreshing pasta salad alternative. Enjoy immediately to capture peak flavor and texture.
Notes
- Grill Temperature Check: Maintain medium-high heat around 375-400°F for perfect chicken sear and asparagus char without burning.
- Chicken Doneness Tip: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm 160-165°F internal temperature for safe, juicy chicken.
- Pasta Texture Secret: Cook pasta precisely al dente to prevent mushiness and ensure ideal pasta bite in the final dish.
- Pesto Pairing Hack: Use freshly made or high-quality store-bought pesto for maximum flavor intensity and authentic Italian taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg