Zucchini Noodles with Pesto & Chicken

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This healthy summer dinner subs zoodles for pasta to help use up your zucchini bounty--as well as slash calories and carbs. Once the spiralized zucchini has time to soak up the herby pesto sauce, this chicken and pesto pasta makes particularly good leftovers.

Prep Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 medium-large zucchini (about 2 pounds), trimmed

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves

  • ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 large clove garlic, quartered

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions

  1. Using a spiral vegetable slicer, cut zucchini lengthwise into long, thin strands. Give the strands a chop here and there so the noodles aren't too long. Place the zucchini in a colander and toss with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let drain for 15 to 30 minutes, then gently squeeze to remove any excess liquid.

  2. Meanwhile, place basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, 1/4 cup oil, lemon juice, garlic, pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mini food processor. Process until almost smooth.

  3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in one layer; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in 3 tablespoons of the pesto.

  4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add the drained zucchini noodles and toss gently until hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the chicken. Add the remaining pesto and toss gently to coat.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)

430 Calories
32g Fat
9g Carbs
29g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/3 cups
Calories 430
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 29g 57%
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Vitamin A 1579IU 32%
Vitamin C 42mg 47%
Folate 69mcg 17%
Sodium 598mg 26%
Calcium 127mg 10%
Iron 3mg 15%
Magnesium 94mg 22%
Potassium 837mg 18%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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