Tag: Pesto

Mediterranean Pesto Pasta with Chicken, Veggies & Chickpeas

Mediterranean Pesto Pasta with Chicken, Veggies & Chickpeas

Posted on by Amy MS, RD, LDN

(If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you.)

Mediterranean Pesto Pasta with Chicken, Veggies & Chickpeas

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Mediterranean Pesto Pasta with Chicken, Veggies & Chickpeas

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  • Author: Amy MS, RD, LDN
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
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Description

Mediterranean Pesto Pasta is fresh, vibrant and satisfying! This dish is infinitely adaptable with your favorite veggies or in-season produce.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb Whole Wheat Penne Pasta
  • 1 lb Chicken Breast, cut into 1 1/2 inch dice
  • 2 Medium Zucchini
  • 2 Bell Peppers (Orange, Red or Yellow)
  • 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 15 oz Can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 4 Tbsp Spinach Pesto

Instructions

  1. Make your pesto and then set aside to cook the rest of the dish.
  2. Cook your pasta according to the box directions.
  3. While the pasta cooks, cook your chicken and veggies
  4. Heat a large skillet (cast iron pan if you have it!) over medium high heat, add 1 tbsp of olive oil
  5. When your pan is hot, add the chicken. Cook for 8-10 minutes until nicely browned and cooked through. Place cooked chicken on a plate and set aside.
  6. While the chicken cooks, prep your veggies. Rinse your veggies and get ready to chop!
  7. Dice the vegetables into 1 1/2 inch pieces
    1. Zucchini: Slice in half length-wise, then dice into half moon shape
    2. Bell Pepper: Cut around the pepper and remove the core, then slice into strips, then dice
    3. Cherry Tomatoes: Slice in half lengthwise
  8. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and adjust skillet heat to medium. Add the chickpeas to the skillet.
  9. Next add the zucchini and bell pepper to your pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally and turning over the veggies to cook evenly on each side.
  10. Now its time to put the dish together!
  11. In a large bowl, add the 3-4 tablespoons of pesto to the bottom. Next, add the pasta, chicken and veggies, including the cherry tomatoes you chopped earlier. Top with another tablespoon of pesto. Using a large spoon, mix the dish together, taking care to not mash your veg!
  12. Taste the pasta and add additional pesto per your preference.
  13. Serve immediately and enjoy a taste of a Mediterranean Summer!

Equipment

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Mediterranean
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6
  • Calories: 460
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 625mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Carbohydrates: 77g
  • Fiber: 39g
  • Protein: 40g
  • Cholesterol: 74mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thrivenutritionrdn — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

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Braided Pesto Garlic Knots

Braided Pesto Garlic Knots

Posted on by Amy MS, RD, LDN

Braided Pesto Garlic Knots

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Pesto Garlic Knots

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  • Author: Amy MS, RD, LDN
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
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Description

Braided Pesto Garlic Knots are delicious bites packed with spinach pesto, garlic and cheese. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Instructions

  1. Start by making the Whole Wheat Pizza Dough and Spinach Pesto.
  2. Roll the pizza dough into a square, roughly 12×12 inches.
  3. Using a spatula, spread the pesto onto the dough, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around all sides.
  4. Evenly sprinkle the mozzarella over the pesto.
  5. Next, take the top half of the dough and fold down to meet the bottom. You are basically folding the dough in half here. (Check out the video for a play-by-play!)
  6. Then, using a knife or bench scraper, cut the dough horizontally into 6 sections. You should have 6 rectangles at this point.
  7. Now, take one of your rectangles and vertically cut two slits into the dough, keeping the top portion intact. Continue with remaining rectangles.
  8. Next it’s time to braid! Take one of your rectangles and fold the left dough portion over the middle section then repeat with the left side. Continue braiding until you reach the end of the dough. Then, pinch the bottom of the dough to seal. Now take the end you sealed and roll it up towards the other end. You will now have a braided pesto knot! Continue with the rest of the rectangles.
  9. Place the knots into a 9×9 baking dish and brush with a little olive oil.
  10. Place into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Note if the tops get a little too brown, cover with foil for the last 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and serve with marinara sauce or extra pesto. Enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Dinner
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 216
  • Sodium: 406mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Carbohydrates: 33g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 6mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thrivenutritionrdn — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

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Spinach Pesto

Spinach Pesto

Posted on by Amy MS, RD, LDN

(If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you.)

Spinach Pesto

Spinach Pesto
Spinach Pesto
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Spinach Pesto

Spinach Pesto

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  • Author: Amy RD, LDN
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 Servings 1x
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Description

Spinach pesto is the ultimate condiment, use it to top pasta, sandwiches, chicken, fish and grain salads.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups Spinach
  • 2 Garlic Cloves
  • 2/3 cup Almonds or Walnuts (or pine nuts if you’re feelin’ fancy!)
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 3/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1/2 cup Olive Oil

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a food processor, add the spinach and garlic cloves. Process until the spinach and garlic are broken down into small pieces.
  2. Add the Parmesan cheese, nuts, salt and pepper. Pulse again until combined but not totally smooth.
  3. Add the balsamic vinegar and pulse again.
  4. Next turn on the food processor and slowly pour in the olive oil through the feed tube.
  5. Taste your pesto and adjust any seasonings as needed.
  6. Serve over roasted vegetables, fish, chicken, on sandwiches or salads its delicious!
 

Equipment

Notes

For nut allergies, you can omit the nuts completely or substitute sunflower seeds for the almonds.

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Category: Sauces, Condiment
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8
  • Calories: 167
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 234mg
  • Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thrivenutritionrdn — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

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