Chicken Pesto Pasta meal prep

This Chicken Pesto Pasta is perfect for meal prep. It’s a flavorful and simple dish that can be served for lunches, dinners, or even breakfasts. This dish, which includes pasta, pesto and grilled chicken, is full of protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates to keep you going. It’s also easy to prepare ahead of time and store it for a couple of days.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• For the Chicken
  • 4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp of garlic powder
  • 1 tsp of paprika
  • Half a teaspoon of salt
  • Black pepper, 1/2 tsp
  • Juice of one lemon
• Pesto:
  • Fresh basil leaves 2 cups (packed)
  • Pine nuts or walnuts, 1/3 cup
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Half a cup of grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • Lemon juice, 1 tbsp
  • Taste salt and pepper
• Pasta:
  • 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your favourite shape)
  • Sal (for the pasta water).
• The Extras (Optional).
  • Half a cup of cherry tomatoes (for garnish).
  • 1/4 cup additional Parmesan Cheese (for topping).

Instructions:

1. How to Cook Pasta
   • Bring a large pot with salted water up to a rolling boil. Follow the instructions on the package to cook the pasta until it is al dente.
   • Drain the pasta and reserve a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup), which you can add to pesto if necessary.
2. Prepare the chicken:
   • Preheat a grill pan on medium-high heat while the pasta is cooking.
   • Rub chicken breasts in olive oil with garlic powder, paprika sal,t, pepper and lemon juice.
   • Grill the chicken on each side for 6 to 7 minutes or until it reaches 165 degrees F.
   • Let the chicken rest for a few moments before cutting it into thin strips.
3. Pesto:
   • Combine the garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts and basil leaves in a food processor.
   • Pulse the mixture until it is finely chopped.
   • Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the food processor while it is running. The pesto will come together. You can add a teaspoon or two of pasta water if the pesto is thick.
   • Add salt, pepper and lemon juice according to your taste.
4. Assemble your meal prep:
   • Toss the pasta in a large bowl with the pesto until well coated. Add a bit more pasta water if needed to coat the pasta with pesto evenly.
   • Add the grilled chicken slices on top of your pasta and gently combine.
   • Stir in cherry tomatoes if you wish to add a fresh burst.
5. Stock up on Meal Prep:
   • Divide the pasta between 4 containers for meal preparation.
   • If desired, top each serving with additional Parmesan cheese.
   • Keep the containers in your refrigerator for up to 4 days.
6. Serve:
   • If you are ready to eat the pasta, heat it in the microwave. You can also enjoy the cold pasta as a salad.

Tips:

• Pesto variations: Instead of using Parmesan, you can use nutritional yeast to make a vegan or dairy-free pesto. For a new flavour, you can substitute pine nuts for almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds.
• Consider adding vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to your dish for colour and nutrition.
• Chicken Variations: For a vegetarian alternative, you can substitute the grilled chicken with rotisserie or roasted chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Meal Prep-Friendly: This dish can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for several days.
• A delicious and filling meal, the combination of pasta, pesto and tender chicken makes for an incredibly tasty and satisfying dish.
• Easy to Prepare: This meal is easy to prepare and perfect for weeknights on the run or lunches on the move.
• Customizable: You can customize the pesto toppings and ingredients to your liking, making this a versatile meal for any occasion.

Enjoy this delicious, quick meal for the entire week.