Vegan Pesto Chicken

Elevate your plant-based dining experience with this vibrant and flavor-packed Vegan Pesto Chicken recipe! Featuring tender plant-based chicken pieces coated in a creamy homemade pesto sauce made from fresh basil, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, and a burst of zesty lemon, this dish is a vegan twist on a classic favorite. Juicy cherry tomatoes and wilted baby spinach add a pop of color and freshness, creating a wholesome, nutrient-packed meal that's ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests, this recipe is hearty, dairy-free, and brimming with herby goodness. Serve it alongside your favorite pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying plant-based meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Plant-based chicken pieces
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cups Pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.25 cups Olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
• 200 grams Cherry tomatoes
• 100 grams Baby spinach

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and set aside.

Step 2

Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the plant-based chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through and have a light golden color.

Step 3

While the plant-based chicken is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes.

Step 4

Once the chicken pieces are cooked, lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the prepared pesto, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.

Step 5

Add the halved cherry tomatoes and baby spinach to the pan. Stir gently until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes are slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Remove from heat and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(871.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1461.2

Total Fat 99.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2881.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 45.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.8g	0%
Total Sugars 7.2g
Protein 96.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 389.6mg	0%
Iron 16.4mg	0%
Potassium 1866.0mg	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: 61.2%

Protein: 26.3%

Carbs: 12.4%