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Zucchini noodles topped with pesto and grilled chicken in a bowl
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Zucchini Noodles with Pesto and Grilled Chicken

A delightful dish featuring fresh zucchini noodles topped with grilled chicken and a flavorful homemade pesto, perfect for a healthy meal.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Healthy, Italian
Keyword: Grilled Chicken, Healthy Dinner, Low Carb, Pesto, Zucchini Noodles
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 400kcal

Ingredients

For the Zucchini Noodles

  • 3 medium zucchini Spiralized into delicate noodles.
  • 1 tbsp olive oil For zucchini noodles.
  • 1/4 tsp salt For zucchini noodles.
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper For zucchini noodles.

For the Grilled Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Tender and juicy.
  • 1 tbsp olive oil For chicken.
  • 1/2 tsp salt For chicken.
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper For chicken.
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

For the Pesto

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves The star of the pesto.
  • 2 cloves garlic Fresh and pungent.
  • 1/3 cup olive oil For pesto.
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Nutty and savory.
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts Or walnuts for variation.
  • 1/2 tsp salt For pesto.
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper For pesto.
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice Adds brightness to the pesto.

Instructions

Grill the Chicken

  • Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat.
  • Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  • Grill for 5-6 minutes on each side until an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) is reached.
  • Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Make the Pesto

  • In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts.
  • Blend into a coarse paste, then drizzle in the olive oil until creamy.
  • Finish with a splash of lemon juice.

Sauté the Zucchini Noodles

  • In a large pan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the spiralized zucchini noodles and sauté for about 2 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Combining the Dish

  • In a large bowl, combine the warm zucchini noodles and pesto, tossing to coat.
  • Nestle the grilled chicken slices atop the noodles and garnish with extra Parmesan and basil leaves.

Notes

Choose firm zucchini for best spiralization and don’t overcook to keep a pleasant crunch. Fresh basil is recommended for pesto over dried varieties.