This Protein Pesto Pasta is a family staple meal and one of my most popular recipes of all time. It is veggie & protein loaded and bursting with flavor! This meal only takes 30 minutes to make and your family will be licking their bowls clean! Try making this protein pasta with my homemade peso for the ultimate home cooked meal.
This recipe makes 8-10 servings, so it is great for feeding a large family or for meal prepping! This is one of my favorite meal prepping meals of all time. It tastes just as good reheated and lasts for a good amount of time in the fridge! Each serving is under 400 calories and 30 grams of protein.
BE SURE TO SAVE THIS RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD FOR LATER!
Why This Recipe is a Winner:
- High in Protein: Chicken breast is a lean protein, and adding asparagus not only boosts the flavor but also provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Packed with Flavor: The pesto sauce made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan brings a deliciously bold kick that pairs perfectly with the grilled chicken and pasta.
- Quick & Easy: You don’t need hours in the kitchen to make this meal
Ingredients
- Protein Pasta – I used a 14.5 ounce box of chickpea pasta.
- Chicken Breasts – 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Or you can use pre-grilled chicken like I did from my Trifecta meal prep plan!
- Asparagus – 1 pound of fresh asparagus, washed, dried, and woody ends cut off. The easiest way to do this is to simply snap the asparagus with your hands! They will naturally break where they need to!
- Pesto – 1 cup of basil pesto. I made mine from scratch, but you can use a store bought one if you would like! Let me tell you though, homemade pesto changes the game!
- Italian Seasoning – 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
- Garlic Salt – 1 teaspoon, for flavor.
- Lemon Pepper – 1 teaspoon, for flavor.
- Onion Powder – 1 teaspoon, for flavor.
- Lemon Juice – 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.
- Pine Nuts – 2 tablespoons of tasted pine nuts. To toast them, just place them on a small skillet over medium/high heat, tossing frequently for about 5 minutes.
- Parmesan Cheese – I used 1/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese.
- Basil – Fresh basil for topping, optional.
Alternatives
- Swap Protein: If you’re looking for a different protein, you can easily swap the grilled chicken for grilled shrimp, turkey, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Make It Creamy: For a creamier pesto sauce, add a splash of heavy cream or Greek yogurt to the pesto mixture.
- Add Extra Veggies: Feel free to throw in extra vegetables, such as spinach, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes, for added color and nutrients.
How To Make It
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a small baking sheet with foil and line up your asparagus. Season with some salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Season your chicken with the Italian seasoning, garlic salt, lemon pepper, and onion powder.
- Preheat your grill/skillet to cook your chicken in with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Place your chicken on the grill, your pasta in your pot, and your asparagus in the oven. Set a timer for 12 minutes. Your pasta should be cooked to al dente, chicken breasts should be cooked, and your asparagus should all be cooked by now.
- Drain your pasta and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the pesto, Parmesan, & lemon juice and mix until fully incorporated.
- Chop up your grilled chicken. Add this to the bowl of pasta along with your asparagus and pine nuts. Give it a good toss.
- Serve & enjoy!! Top with fresh basil if desired.
I love this meal because even though it’s pasta, it feels like a light dish and is very filling so you don’t need much! Also, you have your veggies, meat, and carbs all in one!
How To Store Leftovers
You can store your leftover protein pesto pasta in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, just pop them in the microwave for a minute or so.
Check Me Out on Social Media
I post all my recipes on social media as well and you can stay up to date on what I am up to! Also, I love seeing people try my recipes! When make these, snap a picture, and share it to your socials. Tag @cookingkatielady and #cookingkatielady so I can admire your masterpiece and share with others!
Not only is this dish a flavor explosion, but it’s also packed with healthy fats from the olive oil and pine nuts, as well as vitamins and fiber from the asparagus and fresh basil. Plus, it’s easy to customize, so you can make it your own every time. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, but also fancy enough for a weekend meal or gathering with friends.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, fire up that grill, and enjoy a delicious bowl of protein-packed pesto pasta with grilled chicken and asparagus!
Protein Pesto Pasta With Chicken & Asparagus
This Protein Pesto Pasta is a family staple meal and one of my most popular recipes of all time. It is veggie & protein loaded and bursting with flavor! This meal only takes 30 minutes to make and your family will be licking their bowls clean! Try making this protein pasta with my homemade peso for the ultimate home cooked meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a small baking sheet with foil and line up your asparagus. Season with some salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
-
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Season your chicken with the Italian seasoning, garlic salt, lemon pepper, and onion powder.
-
Preheat your grill/skillet to cook your chicken in with a drizzle of olive oil.
-
Place your chicken on the grill, your pasta in your pot, and your asparagus in the oven. Set a timer for 12 minutes. Your pasta should be cooked to al dente, chicken breasts should be cooked, and your asparagus should all be cooked by now.
-
Drain your pasta and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the pesto, Parmesan, & lemon juice and mix until fully incorporated.
-
Chop up your grilled chicken. Add this to the bowl of pasta along with your asparagus and pine nuts. Give it a good toss.
-
Serve & enjoy!! Top with fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 10
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 367kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16g25%
- Saturated Fat 2.1g11%
- Cholesterol 65mg22%
- Sodium 500mg21%
- Total Carbohydrate 32g11%
- Dietary Fiber 4g16%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 30g60%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Did you make this recipe?
The next time you make it, snap a picture, and share it to your socials. Tag @cookingkatielady and #cookingkatielady so I can admire your masterpiece and share with others!:)
Please note that my nutrition label is approximate and has slight rounding.
User Reviews
Looks delicious! I want to make this recipe!