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+ servings

Chicken Pesto Spaghetti Squash

A vibrant and nutritious dish combining roasted spaghetti squash, savory chicken, and homemade basil pesto, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Spaghetti Squash
  • 1 medium spaghetti squash Cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil For drizzling on squash
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
For the Chicken and Pesto
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Seasoned with salt and pepper
  • 1 cup basil pesto Homemade or store-bought
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes Halved (optional)
  • as needed Grated Parmesan cheese For serving (optional)
  • as needed Fresh basil leaves For garnish (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the insides and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Place the squash cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the flesh is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Cooking Chicken
  1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  4. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
Combine and Serve
  1. Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape the flesh into strands.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the spaghetti squash strands with the pesto until well-coated.
  3. Toss in the sliced chicken and halved cherry tomatoes, mixing gently.
  4. Plate the dish and optionally top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 28gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4g

Notes

Feel free to personalize this dish. Add sun-dried tomatoes or red pepper flakes for some heat, or substitute chicken with grilled zucchini or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Microwaving the squash is also a faster alternative.

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