Herb-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Creamy Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

For the Herb-Marinated Grilled Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

For the Creamy Pesto Pasta:
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Herb Marinade:
- In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, rosemary, and thyme.
- Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, for maximum flavor infusion.

2. Grill the Chicken:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess marinade drip off.
- Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

3. Cook the Pasta:
- While the chicken is grilling, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the fettuccine pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.

4. Prepare the Creamy Pesto Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the pesto and heavy cream.
- Stir until the mixture is heated through and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Combine and Serve:
- Toss the cooked pasta with the creamy pesto sauce until well coated.
- Slice the grilled chicken and serve on top of the pasta.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Total Time

PT3H13M
3 hours and 13 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

grilled chicken, creamy pesto pasta, easy dinner recipe, herb-marinated chicken, basil pesto pasta, grilled chicken breasts, Italian-inspired dish, family dinner idea, gourmet pasta recipe, fresh herbs

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 2,200

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