Keto Pasta with Pesto and Chicken

Indulge in the low-carb comfort of Keto Pasta with Pesto and Chicken, a flavorful, guilt-free twist on a classic Italian favorite! This recipe swaps traditional pasta for tender zucchini noodles, creating a light yet satisfying base that’s perfect for soaking up the rich, homemade basil pesto sauce. Juicy, pan-seared chicken breast adds a protein-packed element, while freshly grated Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, and zesty lemon juice lend layers of vibrant flavor to every bite. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes, this keto-friendly dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Serve it fresh and warm, garnished with extra pine nuts and Parmesan, for a crave-worthy, restaurant-quality meal that fits perfectly into a low-carb, ketogenic lifestyle.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 medium Zucchini
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 pieces Chicken breast
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cups Basil leaves
• 0.25 cup Pine nuts
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Pine nuts (extra for garnish)
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt (for pesto)
• 0.5 cup Olive oil (for pesto)

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the zucchini noodles: Cut off the ends of each zucchini and use a spiralizer to create noodles. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper, then add them to the pan.

Step 3

Cook the chicken breasts for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked. Remove from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips.

Step 4

To make the pesto sauce, combine basil leaves, 0.25 cup of pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves in a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are coarsely chopped.

Step 5

Add 0.25 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the processor. With the processor running, gradually add 0.5 cup of olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 6

In the same pan used for the chicken, add the zucchini noodles and sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly softened.

Step 7

Mix the pesto sauce with the zucchini noodles and toss well until evenly coated.

Step 8

Divide the pesto zucchini noodles among serving plates, top with sliced chicken breast, and garnish with extra pine nuts and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy a delicious keto-friendly pasta meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1303.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2445.6

Total Fat 204.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.9g
Cholesterol 246.4mg	0%
Sodium 10659.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 69.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.1g	0%
Total Sugars 56.6g
Protein 99.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 636.8mg	0%
Iron 7.4mg	0%
Potassium 2797.6mg	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: 73.2%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 11.0%