Description
This grilled chicken asparagus pesto pasta is a light, refreshing, and flavorful summer dinner perfect for busy weeknights or outdoor gatherings. Juicy grilled chicken is paired with crisp asparagus and tossed in a vibrant basil pesto sauce for a meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Topped with Parmesan and fresh basil, it’s both satisfying and easy to customize. Ideal for meal prep, family dinners, or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
For the chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
For the pasta:
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- ⅓ cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional garnish:
- Additional Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove and let rest before slicing.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In the last 2–3 minutes of pasta cooking, add the asparagus pieces to the boiling pasta water.
- Drain pasta and asparagus, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta water.
- In a large bowl, toss the hot pasta and asparagus with pesto, Parmesan cheese, and reserved pasta water until evenly coated. Add lemon juice if using.
- Slice grilled chicken and arrange on top of the pasta.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
This grilled chicken asparagus pesto pasta is a light, refreshing, and flavorful summer dinner perfect for busy weeknights or outdoor gatherings. Juicy grilled chicken is paired with crisp asparagus and tossed in a vibrant basil pesto sauce for a meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Topped with Parmesan and fresh basil, it’s both satisfying and easy to customize. Ideal for meal prep, family dinners, or impressing guests with minimal effort.