Best 2 Italian Chicken Pesto With Spaghetti Squash Recipes

Indulge in a culinary journey to Italy with our exquisite Italian Chicken Pesto with Spaghetti Squash. This tantalizing dish combines the vibrant flavors of pesto, tender chicken, and the unique texture of spaghetti squash for a symphony of tastes and textures. Dive into the aromatic world of pesto, crafted from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, enveloping succulent chicken breasts in a verdant embrace. Alongside, discover the delightful spaghetti squash, its strands resembling delicate angel hair, perfectly complementing the richness of the pesto and chicken. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates the essence of Italian cuisine, with each bite promising a burst of authentic flavors.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN CHICKEN PESTO WITH SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Italian Chicken Pesto with Spaghetti Squash image

This is a great new paleo version of your favorite Italian recipe with spaghetti squash. I like to sprinkle a bit of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over mine.

Provided by tclark23

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 1h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise
6 links Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
1 head broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces
1 green bell pepper, cut into bite-size pieces
1 pinch chopped fresh basil, or to taste
1 pinch chopped fresh rosemary, or to taste
1 pinch Italian seasoning (such as Mrs. Dash®), or to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
⅓ (7 ounce) container pesto, or to taste
10 sun-dried tomatoes

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sprinkle squash with Italian seasoning and place upside-down on a rimmed baking tray. Add about 1 inch of water.
Bake in the preheated oven until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes; strands of squash should easily pull away when scraped with a fork.
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Cook and stir sausage, uncovered, in the hot skillet until mostly browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Stir in broccoli and bell pepper. Reduce heat to low and add squash strands. Sprinkle basil, rosemary, and Italian seasoning, on top and drizzle with olive oil. Stir in 2 big spoonfuls of pesto, adding more to taste, followed by sun-dried tomatoes. Let simmer over low heat for 2 to 5 minutes. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 460.3 calories, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 37.2 mg, Fat 26 g, Fiber 7.9 g, Protein 22.4 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 1825.1 mg, Sugar 19.6 g

PESTO CHICKEN SPAGHETTI SQUASH RECIPE BY TASTY

Pesto Chicken Spaghetti Squash Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: spaghetti squash, oil, salt, black pepper, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, green beans, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes

Provided by Joey Firoben

Categories Dinner

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash
1 tablespoon oil, plus more for drizzling
salt, to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
½ lb green beans, trimmed
1 cup basil pesto
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Using a fork, pierce holes along one side of the spaghetti squash.
Microwave the squash for 5 minutes to make it easier to cut open.
Using a sharp knife, cut the squash in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a spoon.
Transfer the squash to a roasting pan and drizzle with oil. Season the flesh with salt and pepper, and flip the squash so that the cavity faces down on the pan.
Bake for 40 minutes until the squash is easily pierced with a knife.
Once out of the oven, use a fork to pull the threads out of the spaghetti squash.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat in a large, nonstick skillet. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and sear them on each side for about 4 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the pan and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into cubes.
Toss the green beans into the pan and sauté until they've started to soften.
Add in the spaghetti squash, pesto, and chicken, and toss until well combined.
After the mixture is heated through, toss in the cherry tomatoes and give the pan one last toss to help everything come together.
Remove from heat and serve.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 304 calories, Carbohydrate 14 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 16 grams, Sugar 6 grams

Tips:

Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the dish will taste. Try to use fresh herbs, such as basil and parsley, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Don't Overcook the Chicken: Chicken breasts can easily become dry and tough if they are overcooked. Cook them until they are just cooked through, about 10-12 minutes per side.
Use High-Quality Pesto: A good pesto will make all the difference in this dish. Look for a pesto that is made with fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Roast the Spaghetti Squash Properly: Roasting the spaghetti squash properly is essential for getting the right texture. Make sure to use a fork to pierce the squash several times before roasting, and roast it until it is tender but still holds its shape.
Serve Immediately: This dish is best served immediately, while the chicken is still hot and the spaghetti squash is still warm.

Conclusion:

This Italian Chicken Pesto with Spaghetti Squash is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. For example, you can use different types of pesto, such as arugula pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto. You can also add other vegetables to the dish, such as roasted zucchini or bell peppers. Get creative and enjoy experimenting with different flavors and ingredients!