Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken, pasta, and tomatoes to pesto; toss to combine. Cilantro lovers will love this pasta and chicken dish coated with fresh cilantro pesto.

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. The pesto is a perfect way to top this juicy, never-dry grilled chicken - this makes a perfect quick pasta (just cut the chicken into chunks after grilling, toss with pasta, and top with pesto), over rice, or with fresh grilled vegetables! You can cook Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken using 12 ingredients and 9 steps. Here is how you achieve it.

Ingredients of Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken

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

Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Lime Chicken. Remove the skin from the chicken drumsticks*. 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.

Cilantro Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken step by step

Mix McCormick marinade according to package directions and marinate chicken for 15-30 minutes..
Grill chicken on the grill outdoors or indoors on a stove top cast iron grill pan..
Let chicken rest for 5 to 6 minutes then cut chicken breasts into bite size pieces. Set aside..
Toast pine nuts in a non stick dry skillet over medium high heat until slighty toasted and golden brown stirring constantly..
To a blender or a food processor add all ingredients for pesto except olive oil..
Slowly drizzle in olive oil from the top of the blender on low speed to form a thick sauce. Set aside..
Cook pasta according to package directions, rinse and set aside..
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..
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..

When the chicken is done marinating, heat up a large cast iron skillet or a grill if available and cook the chicken until tender. While the chicken is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Cook chicken tenders quickly on the grill and top with pesto made with cilantro and sesame seeds for a zesty, speedy dinner. Serve with: Quinoa and grilled asparagus. Prep the veggies - brush or spray with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.