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Grilled Lemon Chicken Pesto over Zoodles

Grilled lemon chicken over zucchini noodles in a fresh homemade pesto sauce! 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 440 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces of chicken breast cut into pieces
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic grated
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • ½ teaspoon of pepper
  • Juice and zest of 2 lemons
  • 3 medium or 2 large zucchini, spiralized
For the Pesto Sauce
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • ⅓ cup toasted pignoli (pine nuts) or toasted walnuts
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • ½ cup + 2 teaspoons of grated parmesan cheese divided
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

To Prepare the Chicken
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the cut chicken pieces into a large ziplock baggie and top with the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic clove, dried basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and zest.  Seal up the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure all pieces are well coated.  Refrigerate for 20 minutes, while you preheat your grill.
  2. After 20 minutes, grill your chicken.  While the chicken is cooking, you can make the pesto sauce.
To make the Pesto Sauce
  1. Add all the nuts, garlic, salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse a few times, then add in the basil and lemon juice, pulse briefly.  With the food processor running, stream in the olive oil slowly until combined.  
  2. Add in the ½ cup parmesan cheese (reserving the 2 teaspoons) and pulse just enough to combine. Add a little more olive oil if needed to make it loose enough to pour over the zoodles.
  3. Add the zoodles to a bowl and pour some pesto over it, toss to coat.  Add the sliced grilled chicken over the top and drizzle some pesto over it.  Top with the reserved parmesan cheese and serve!

Notes

  • Pine nuts are used in traditional pesto sauces, but I know they can be difficult to find in some areas.  Walnuts are an excellent substitution in this case, and I definitely recommend toasting either nut you decide to use.
  • *Macros include 4 ounces chicken and 1 cup zucchini noodles per serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories 440kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 38g (58%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 440

% Daily Value*

Calories 440kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 38g 58%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 2g 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.