Go Back
+ servings
Walnut Avocado Pesto Chicken Pasta

Walnut Avocado Pesto Chicken with Pasta

Christopher Lower
Californian walnuts, Avocado, and Spinach make this pesto your summer go to sauce!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Entree
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 428.1 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb of Short Shaped Pasta shapes with ridges or shells work perfect for the pesto to cling to them. Choose a low sodium option
  • 4 in Large Chicken Breasts - fresh cut half (or 8 chicken Tenderloins)
  • 1 Lg Avocado - pitted and cut into quarters
  • 1 cup Walnuts unsalted
  • 2 Lemons
  • 2 cups Spinach - tightly packed
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • 1/2 cup Basil - fresh tightly packed
  • 6 small Red Yellow, or Orange Bell Peppers - sliced into small rings
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder Salt free or another salt free Garlic & Herb blend
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper ground
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese (look for the lowest sodium you can find less than 100 mg per tablespoon, such as the 4C brand).

Instructions
 

  • Fire up your grill to medium-high heat (400 degrees F)
  • Cut your lemons in half and place cut side down on the grill & grill for 5 minutes remove one half to squeeze over the chicken and move the other 3 to a cooler part of the grill to continue to cook while the chicken grills
  • Coat the chicken with a drizzle of oil each side, season with the Garlic & Herb, and squeeze half the juice of the grilled half lemon over each side.
  • Cook the chicken over medium high heat for 4 minutes a side, or until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F
  • Remove the chicken and lemons from the grill
  • Keep the chicken warm while you cook the rest of the dish
  • In a large lidded pot, cook the pasta in water with a Tbsp of the Olive Oil added.
  • Once the water achieves a boil, bring down the heat to a simmer
  • Add the pasta and cook for 6-8 minutes, testing the pasta every 4 minutes for the texture you like (I like mine more al dente, or slightly undercooked as it will cook some more with the chicken and pesto.
  • Remove the pasta from the pot and drain.
  • In a food processor, add the remaining ingredients except the bell peppers.
  • Pulse the pesto until you get a creamy green sauce.
  • Add the pasta and chicken to the pasta pot, pour over the pesto sauce and stir together over low heat.
  • Add seasonings to adjust the flavor to your taste - basil, garlic, black pepper, red pepper, or lemon juice.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Walnut Avocado Pesto Chicken with Pasta
Amount Per Serving (2 g)
Calories 428.1 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 2.2g14%
Trans Fat 4.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.8g
Cholesterol 54.3mg18%
Sodium 84.4mg4%
Carbohydrates 46.9g16%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 1.5g2%
Protein 29.4g59%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 2gCalories: 428.1kcalCarbohydrates: 46.9gProtein: 29.4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5.8gTrans Fat: 4.4gCholesterol: 54.3mgSodium: 84.4mgFiber: 5gSugar: 1.5g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!