How to Prepare Perfect Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken

Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken. Enjoy A Taste Of Italy With This Delicious Chicken Parmesan. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, mushrooms and onion and cook until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.

Place drumsticks on a platter and coat both sides with fresh lime juice, lime zest, brown sugar and spices. Season the chicken at least an hour before it goes on the grill to allow the flavours to develop. Cook pasta according to package directions, rinse and set aside. You can cook Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken using 12 ingredients and 9 steps. Here is how you cook that.

Ingredients of Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken

1. Prepare of Cilantro Pesto.
2. You need 2 cup of cilantro leaves.
3. You need 1/2 cup of olive oil.
4. It's 3 clove of garlic, minced.
5. You need 1/4 cup of pine nuts, toasted.
6. It's 1/4 cup of romano (or parmesan) cheese, grated.
7. Prepare 1/2 tsp of salt & pepper.
8. You need 1 tsp of lime zest.
9. It's 1 tbsp of lime juice.
10. Prepare 1 lb of mini farfalle (bow tie) pasta.
11. Prepare 4 of -6 chicken breasts.
12. It's 1 envelope of McCormick lime mojito marinade (Thanks Ray Ray, now I'm hooked! lol).

Add pasta back to pasta pot. Mix in pesto and stir to combine thoroughly over low heat to warm. Place pesto in a large bowl; stir in vinegar and black pepper. While chicken is on the grill, cook pasta according to package directions.

Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken instructions

1. Mix McCormick marinade according to package directions and marinate chicken for 15-30 minutes..
2. Grill chicken on the grill outdoors or indoors on a stove top cast iron grill pan..
3. Let chicken rest for 5 to 6 minutes then cut chicken breasts into bite size pieces. Set aside..
4. Toast pine nuts in a non stick dry skillet over medium high heat until slighty toasted and golden brown stirring constantly..
5. To a blender or a food processor add all ingredients for pesto except olive oil..
6. Slowly drizzle in olive oil from the top of the blender on low speed to form a thick sauce. Set aside..
7. Cook pasta according to package directions, rinse and set aside..
8. Add pasta back to pasta pot. Mix in pesto and stir to combine thoroughly over low heat to warm. Add 3 cut up chicken breasts to pasta and pesto stirring again to incorporate well..
9. Use remaining cut up chicken breasts to garnish on top of the pasta. Can top with freshly grated romano or parmesan cheese and fresh cilantro leaves if desired..

Distribute the pesto evenly throughout the pasta. Top with grilled seasoned chicken, diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of parmegiano reggiano cheese. Basically, it's a simple pasta and chicken dish elevated by a fresh cilantro lime pesto. The tart lime juice in the pesto pairs so nicely with the cilantro. Plus, the cilantro lime pesto uses almonds for a simple, easy, and inexpensive sauce.