Heart-Healthy Pasta with Pesto and Chicken

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this deliciously wholesome Heart-Healthy Pasta with Pesto and Chicken, a flavorful meal that's as nutritious as it is satisfying. This recipe features tender strips of seasoned, pan-seared skinless chicken breast paired with al dente whole grain pasta, delivering a hearty dose of lean protein and fiber. The star of the dish is the vibrant homemade basil pesto, enriched with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and a touch of lemon juice for a zingy twist. Low-sodium chicken broth ensures a lighter sauce, while the addition of blistered cherry tomatoes and fresh baby spinach brings a pop of color and a boost of vitamins. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy recipe makes the perfect guilt-free meal for busy families, offering comfort and nutrition in every bite. Serve it fresh from the skillet with a sprinkle of Parmesan for an irresistible finish!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole grain pasta
• 1 pound skinless chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 cups basil leaves
• 0.25 cups pine nuts
• 2 units garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 2 cups baby spinach

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt, and cook the whole grain pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, slice the chicken breast into thin strips. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Pulse until smooth, adding chicken broth a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.

Step 5

In the same skillet used for the chicken, add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to blister and soften, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta, baby spinach, and reserved pasta water. Stir well to combine and heat through.

Step 7

Add the pesto to the skillet and toss with the pasta and chicken until everything is evenly coated in the pesto.

Step 8

Serve the pasta immediately, garnishing with additional parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1136.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1668.6

Total Fat 76.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.2g
Cholesterol 395.0mg	0%
Sodium 1772.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.7g	0%
Total Sugars 8.1g
Protein 167.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 418.0mg	0%
Iron 12.0mg	0%
Potassium 1026.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.3%

Protein: 40.1%

Carbs: 18.6%