Description
Tomato Basil Pasta with Grilled Chicken is a quick, delicious, and wholesome meal featuring tender grilled chicken paired with a vibrant tomato and fresh basil sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This flavorful recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights and gatherings, delivering fresh, satisfying, and colorful tastes in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
Produce
- 4 ripe, firm fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Pantry Staples
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
Dairy
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat, then cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side until it’s cooked through and has beautiful grill marks. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken grills, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to help create a silky sauce later.
- Make the Tomato Basil Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chopped fresh tomatoes and cook until they soften and begin to release juice, roughly 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Toss: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce. If the sauce seems thick, stir in some reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Toss in fresh basil leaves and sliced grilled chicken, mixing gently to combine all the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the pasta while warm, and sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. A drizzle of olive oil on top adds a final touch of richness.
Notes
- Use ripe tomatoes: Opt for the freshest, firm tomatoes to maximize natural sweetness and vibrant sauce color.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Rest grilled chicken to keep juices locked in and avoid dryness.
- Reserve pasta water: This starchy water helps emulsify and bind your sauce beautifully to the pasta.
- Keep basil fresh: Add basil last to preserve its bright flavor and avoid bitterness.
- Experiment with cheese: Try Pecorino Romano or asiago for different cheesy notes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg