Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Chicken Recipe
A light, flavorful dish featuring sautéed chicken and tender zucchini noodles tossed in a vibrant kale cashew basil pesto with fresh cherry tomatoes and herbs. This healthy recipe is perfect for a quick, low-carb dinner packed with fresh ingredients and bright flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½ inch cubes
- 1 lb halved cherry tomatoes (about 4 cups)
- 2 large zucchini, spiralized with water squeezed out (about 4 cups)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Herbs and Seasonings
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Oils and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Trader Joe’s Kale Cashew Basil Pesto (or homemade pesto)
Instructions
- Heat the oil and cook chicken: In a large sauté pan or pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken turns a nice golden brown on all sides.
- Prepare veggies and herbs: While the chicken cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, spiralize the zucchini and squeeze out excess water, and finely chop the garlic, basil, and parsley.
- Remove chicken: Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the pan (spray with olive oil if it sticks) and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Cook tomatoes and herbs: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, parsley, black pepper, and salt. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the tomatoes soften.
- Add pesto and chicken: Stir in the kale cashew basil pesto, then return the cooked chicken to the pan, mixing everything well.
- Toss in zucchini noodles: Gently add the raw zucchini noodles and toss with tongs to coat evenly with the tomato and pesto mixture. Sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes over medium heat until zucchini noodles start to soften but remain slightly crisp.
- Serve warm: Plate the dish and optionally top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added richness.
Notes
- Do not overcook the zucchini noodles to prevent them from becoming mushy; a quick sauté is sufficient.
- You can substitute homemade pesto if Trader Joe’s Kale Cashew Basil Pesto is unavailable.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and increase the amount of zucchini noodles or add other vegetables.
- Parmesan topping is optional and can be omitted for a dairy-free meal.
Keywords: pesto zucchini noodles, chicken zucchini noodles, low carb pasta alternative, healthy dinner, kale cashew pesto, easy chicken skillet
