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5.0 from 3 votes

Spinach Pesto Pasta with garlic butter chicken

Delicious spinach pesto pasta with juicy garlic butter chicken bites. This recipe is great as a simple weeknight dinner.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 640 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the spinach pesto
  • 3 cups baby spinach washed and dried
  • 1 cup basil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ½ cup nuts
  • ½ cup grated parmesan
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
For the chicken and pasta
  • 500 g (1lb) chicken breasts cubed
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 garlic cloves crushed
  • 500 g (1lb) pasta

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the ingredients for the pesto in the bowl of a food processor.
  2. Pulse until the pesto is the consistency you prefer.
  3. Add a splash of oil or more oil if you want the pesto to be a little looser.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed then transfer to an airtight container or jar.
  5. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to the top of the pesto then store in the fridge until ready to serve. You can store the pesto up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
  6. Heat a large pot of salted water over high heat.
  7. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
  8. Reserve one cup of cooking water then drain the pasta.
  9. Toss the pasta with the spinach pesto and a splash of cooking water. If you want the pesto sauce to be creamier, add a splash of heavy cream.
  10. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the chicken.
  11. Slice the chicken into bite-size chunks and place in a medium bowl.
  12. Add oil, lemon juice, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper then mix well.
  13. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat then add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through.
  14. Add the butter and garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. 
  15. Serve the pesto pasta with the chicken and fresh basil or arugula.

Nutrition Information

Calories 640kcal (32%) Carbohydrates 95g (32%) Protein 43g (86%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 91mg (30%) Sodium 1033mg (43%) Potassium 653mg (19%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 0.2g (0%) Vitamin A 2619IU (52%) Vitamin C 12mg (13%) Calcium 165mg (17%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 640

% Daily Value*

Calories 640kcal 32%
Carbohydrates 95g 32%
Protein 43g 86%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0.01g 1%
Cholesterol 91mg 30%
Sodium 1033mg 43%
Potassium 653mg 14%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 0.2g 0%
Vitamin A 2619IU 52%
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Calcium 165mg 17%
Iron 3mg 17%

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