---
title: "Grilled Chicken with Rustic Tomato Pasta & Garlic Green Beans"
yield: "Servings: 4–6"
prep: "15 minutes"
cook: "30–35 minutes"
recipe_id: "85d4baa2-6567-4670-8d8c-030fc36dd9e8"
---

# Grilled Chicken with Rustic Tomato Pasta & Garlic Green Beans

A simple Italian-style dinner with juicy grilled chicken, pasta tossed in a rich rustic tomato-basil sauce, and garlicky green beans on the side.

Servings: 4–6 · Cook: 30–35 minutes · Prep: 15 minutes

## Ingredients

### Grilled Chicken

- -   1 1/2--2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- -   1--2 tbsp olive oil
- -   1 tsp garlic powder
- -   1 tsp Italian seasoning
- -   1/2 tsp onion powder
- -   1/2 tsp salt
- -   1/4 tsp black pepper

### Rustic Tomato Pasta

- -   12--16 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, rotini, spaghetti, or your choice)
- -   1 tbsp olive oil
- -   1/2 medium onion, finely diced
- -   2 cloves garlic, minced, or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- -   1 tbsp tomato paste
- -   1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- -   1 cup crushed tomatoes with basil
- -   1/2--1 cup diced tomatoes, drained slightly
- -   1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- -   Salt and black pepper, to taste
- -   1/4--1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
- -   Grated Parmesan, optional, for serving
- -   Shredded mozzarella, optional, for serving

### Garlic Green Beans

- -   12--16 oz cut green beans
- -   1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- -   1 clove garlic, minced, or 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- -   Salt and black pepper, to taste
- -   2--3 tbsp grated Parmesan, optional

## Instructions

### Preheat and Prepare the Grill

1. Preheat the grill to **medium-high heat, about 400--425°F**.
2. Pat the chicken dry and lightly coat it with olive oil. Season both sides with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

### Grill the Chicken

3. Place the chicken on the hot grill.
4. Grill for approximately **5--7 minutes per side**, depending on thickness, until nicely browned and the thickest part reaches **165°F**.
5. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for **5--10 minutes** before slicing.

### Cook the Pasta

6. While the chicken is grilling, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
7. Cook the pasta until **al dente** according to the package directions.
8. Before draining, reserve about **1/2 cup of pasta water**. Drain the pasta and set aside.

### Make the Rustic Tomato Sauce

9. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
10. Add the diced onion and cook for **3--4 minutes**, until softened.
11. Add the garlic and cook for about **30 seconds**.
12. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for **1--2 minutes**, stirring frequently. Letting the tomato paste darken slightly will deepen the flavor of the sauce.
13. Add: - Marinara sauce - Crushed tomatoes with basil - Diced tomatoes - Italian seasoning
14. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
15. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for **10--15 minutes**, stirring occasionally.
16. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.

### Toss the Pasta

17. Add the cooked pasta directly to the tomato sauce and toss until evenly coated.
18. If the sauce is thicker than you want, add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency.
19. Keep warm over low heat while you finish the green beans.

### Make the Garlic Green Beans

20. Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
21. Add the green beans and cook for approximately **5--7 minutes**, stirring occasionally, until heated through and tender.
22. Add the garlic during the final **1--2 minutes**.
23. Season with salt and black pepper.
24. If you have Parmesan, remove the skillet from the heat and toss the green beans with **2--3 tablespoons Parmesan**.

### Serve

25. Divide the rustic tomato pasta among plates.
26. Slice the rested grilled chicken and arrange it over or alongside the pasta.
27. Serve the garlic green beans on the side.
28. Finish the pasta with Parmesan or mozzarella if desired.

## Notes

- Don't skip cooking the tomato paste: Giving it 1–2 minutes in the pan before adding the other tomatoes develops a deeper, richer tomato flavor.
- Adjust the tomato balance: If you want a smoother, more familiar pasta sauce, use more marinara. For a chunkier, fresher sauce, increase the crushed and diced tomatoes.
- Keep the chicken separate until serving: Slicing the grilled chicken over the finished pasta preserves the grilled flavor and texture rather than simmering it in the sauce.
- For a little heat: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce if you have them.
- For extra richness: Finish the sauce with Parmesan or a small pat of butter before tossing with the pasta.