Chicken and kale pesto pasta

Summary

Today, we’re going to delve into a delicious, healthy, and straightforward dish – Chicken and kale pesto pasta. This vibrant, nutritious pasta dish combines lean chicken breast, fresh kale, and flavourful pesto to create a meal that is as satisfying as it is wholesome. It’s the ideal dinner for those nights when you want something quick, tasty, and packed with greens.

Ingredients

To serve two people, here’s what you need:

– 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 200g)
– 4 ounces of spaghetti pasta (113g)
– 2 cups of fresh kale, chopped (about 120g)
– 1/2 cup of homemade or store-bought pesto (120ml)
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil (30ml)
– Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 2

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

– Calories: 550
– Protein: 30g
– Carbohydrates: 42g
– Fat: 29g
– Fiber: 5g
– Sodium: 400mg

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until it’s fully cooked, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
3. Add the chopped kale to the pan. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the kale is wilted and tender.
4. While the kale is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water for later use.
5. Cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it back to the pan with the kale.
6. Stir in the pesto sauce. Add the cooked pasta and mix until everything is well combined. If the pasta looks dry, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water.
7. Season with more salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top, if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips

1. You can use any type of pasta for this recipe. Whole wheat pasta would be a healthy choice.
2. If you prefer a creamier texture, add a splash of cream or milk to the pesto sauce.
3. Don’t overcook the kale. It should be tender but still have a slight crunch.
4. To make the dish spicier, add some red pepper flakes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Chicken and kale pesto pasta hot, right out of the pan. A side salad or some garlic bread would complement this dish perfectly. If you have any leftovers, they make a great lunch the next day. Just reheat in the microwave for a minute or two. The bright, bold flavours of this Chicken and kale pesto pasta dish will surely become a favourite in your meal rotation. Enjoy this healthy, delicious, and satisfying meal!