Sunny Day Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl Recipe For Two

Sizzling aromas of fresh basil and garlic dance through the kitchen with this mouthwatering noodle chicken pesto bowl recipe that promises a delightful culinary adventure.

Tender chicken pieces mingle seamlessly with perfectly cooked pasta, creating a vibrant and satisfying meal.

The bright green pesto coats each strand, infusing every bite with rich, herbaceous flavor.

Packed with protein and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired zest, this bowl delivers a quick and elegant dinner solution.

Fragrant herbs and silky noodles come together in a harmonious blend that will make your taste buds sing.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike will adore this simple yet impressive dish that can be whipped up in under 30 minutes.

Get ready to savor a restaurant-quality meal without leaving your kitchen.

Tool You’ll Need for This Pasta Bowl

• Spiralizer: Essential tool for creating perfect zucchini noodles quickly and easily.
• Large sauté pan: Key for cooking chicken and sautéing zucchini noodles with great heat control.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing chicken and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for cutting chicken into bite-sized pieces and slicing garlic.
• Colander: Helpful for draining excess moisture from zucchini noodles.
• Serving bowl: Used for mixing zucchini noodles with pesto and serving the final dish.
• Measuring spoons: Useful for precisely measuring salt and olive oil.

Cooking Instructions for Chicken Pesto Noodles

• Chicken Preparation

Season chicken with salt and paprika. Sear in hot olive oil until golden brown on both sides. Reduce heat, cover, and cook until fully done. Let chicken rest while preparing other components.

• Zucchini Transformation

Use spiralizer to create delicate zucchini strands. Quickly sauté with garlic in olive oil, allowing slight wilting. Drain excess moisture to maintain crisp texture.

• Flavor Fusion

Combine zucchini noodles with vibrant basil pesto, ensuring even coating. Slice rested chicken into tender bite-sized pieces.

• Final Assembly

Arrange zucchini noodles in serving bowl. Top with sliced chicken, scatter fresh cherry tomatoes, and garnish with aromatic basil leaves. Serve immediately for maximum flavor and texture experience.

Customizations for Extra Greens or Spice

• Experiment with different spice blends like Italian herbs, Cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper to add exciting flavor profiles to your chicken.
• Replace zucchini noodles with spiralized carrots, butternut squash, or alternative low-carb vegetable noodles for diverse texture and nutritional variety.
• Substitute chicken with grilled shrimp, seared tofu, or sliced turkey breast to create different protein-packed versions of this versatile bowl.
• Try homemade or store-bought variations like sun-dried tomato pesto, spinach pesto, or roasted red pepper pesto to transform the dish's overall taste experience.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, crispy pancetta bits, or herbed breadcrumbs on top to introduce delightful textural contrast and additional layers of flavor.

Plating Tips for Lunch or Meal Prep Bowls

• Zucchini Noodle Paradise: Create a colorful bowl by arranging the vibrant zucchini noodles as a beautiful base, then artfully place sliced chicken and bright red cherry tomatoes on top for a stunning presentation.
• Fresh Herb Explosion: Sprinkle generous amounts of fresh basil leaves and extra pesto around the dish to enhance the aromatic flavors and add a burst of green freshness that makes the meal pop.
• Mediterranean Twist: Complement the pesto chicken bowl with a side of crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, or a small dollop of creamy Greek yogurt to introduce tangy Mediterranean notes that elevate the entire dining experience.
• Low-Carb Lunch Delight: Perfect for health-conscious eaters looking for a light, protein-packed meal that's both satisfying and nutritionally balanced, making it an ideal lunch option for busy professionals or fitness enthusiasts.

Fridge & Reheat Strategy for Pesto Bowls

• Quick Meal Prep Strategy: Chop chicken and spiralize zucchini in advance for faster weeknight dinner assembly, saving 15-20 minutes of cooking time.
• Refrigerator Storage Solution: Keep prepared components separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days, maintaining ingredient freshness and preventing soggy zucchini noodles.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm chicken gently in a skillet with minimal olive oil to retain moisture, avoiding microwave which can dry out the meat quickly.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze pesto and cooked chicken in separate containers for easy future meal preparation, allowing flexible dinner planning up to 1 month ahead.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Inside a Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein source that adds hearty flavor, choose fresh, organic cuts for best texture and taste.
• Salt: Enhances chicken's natural flavor, use kosher or sea salt for more depth.
• Paprika: Adds warm, subtle spiciness and beautiful color to the chicken.

• Zucchini: Creates low-carb, light noodle alternative with crisp texture, select firm, bright green zucchini without blemishes.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic punch and depth to zucchini noodles, pick firm, plump cloves without sprouts.

• Basil Pesto: Brings vibrant herbal notes and creamy consistency, choose fresh or high-quality jarred version.
• Olive Oil: Creates smooth cooking base and adds rich undertone, select extra virgin for best flavor.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Offers bright, sweet burst of freshness, pick ripe, deeply colored tomatoes.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Delivers final aromatic garnish, select bright green leaves without wilting.

Vibrant Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade noodle chicken pesto bowl blends Mediterranean flavors with comforting pasta textures. Fresh herbs and grilled chicken create a balanced, satisfying meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ lb (226 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 medium zucchini (454 g)
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 handful cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ tsp paprika
• Kosher salt
• ¼ cup (60 mL) prepared basil pesto
• Several fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Seasoning: Evenly coat chicken breast with salt and paprika, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over high temperature, carefully placing chicken to develop a golden-brown exterior for 1-2 minutes per side.
3. Cooking: Reduce heat, cover pan, and continue cooking until chicken is fully cooked through, typically 2-5 minutes depending on thickness.
4. Resting: Transfer chicken to a cutting surface, allowing internal juices to redistribute while preparing remaining components.
5. Zucchini Preparation: Transform zucchini into delicate spirals using a spiralizer, creating elegant, pasta-like noodles.
6. Noodle Sautéing: Return pan to high heat with additional olive oil, quickly sautéing zucchini noodles and garlic, maintaining crisp texture and preventing burning.
7. Moisture Management: Drain zucchini noodles if excess liquid appears to prevent sogginess, seasoning with a pinch of salt.
8. Assembly: Slice rested chicken into uniform pieces, combine zucchini noodles with basil pesto, thoroughly coating each strand for maximum flavor infusion.
9. Plating: Artfully arrange pesto-dressed zucchini noodles in serving bowls, topping with sliced chicken and garnishing with fresh cherry tomatoes and basil leaves for a visually stunning presentation.

Notes

• Sear for Flavor Perfection: Achieve a golden-brown crust by searing chicken at high heat, which locks in juices and creates a delicious caramelized exterior.
• Moisture Management for Zucchini Noodles: Drain excess liquid from zucchini spirals to prevent a watery, soggy dish and maintain a crisp, fresh texture.
• Resting Meat Matters: Allow cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes, enabling internal juices to redistribute and ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent.
• Temperature Control is Key: Adjust cooking heat from high to low when preparing chicken, preventing overcooking and maintaining optimal moisture and tenderness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg