Zesty Italian Lemon Herb Chicken with Quick Pesto Pasta

Name: Zesty Italian Lemon Herb Chicken with Quick Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 pieces chicken breasts (boneless and skinless); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground); 12 ounces pasta (your choice of shape); 2 cups fresh basil leaves; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1/3 cup pine nuts (toasted); 2 cloves garlic (peeled); 1/2 cup olive oil (extra virgin); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)

HealthyItalianDinnerQuickEasyFamily-Friendly

⏱️ 20m PREP

🔥 25m COOK

👥 4 SERVINGS

⚡ 450 CAL/SERV

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Overview

A vibrant and aromatic dish featuring succulent lemon herb chicken paired with a quick, nutty pesto pasta, perfect for a delightful and refreshing meal.

Macronutrients per serving

grams

Protein

35.0g 37%

Fat

20.0g 21%

Carbs

40.0g 42%

Rich in nutrients

☀️ Vitamin C

25% DV

Supports immune function

🔺 Calcium

15% DV

Essential for strong bones and teeth

☀️ Vitamin A

20% DV

Important for vision and immune health

🔺 Iron

10% DV

Crucial for red blood cell production

💧 Omega-3

5% DV

Supports heart health

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

4 pieces chicken breasts boneless and skinless
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
12 ounces pasta your choice of shape

Quick Pesto

2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
1/3 cup pine nuts toasted
2 cloves garlic peeled
1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

1 In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well to form a marinade.
2 Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Ensure the chicken is well coated, cover, and let marinate for at least 20 minutes.
3 While the chicken marinates, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
4 To make the pesto, combine basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
5 Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked and golden brown.
6 In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the pesto sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
7 Serve the lemon herb chicken alongside the pesto pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.