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Home Recipes Main Dishes

Kale Pesto Chicken + Chickpea Pasta

30 mins
Avatar by: Lindsay Grimes
March 13, 2017 (Updated: August 28, 2020)
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Really delicious recipe for kale pesto chicken with chickpea pasta. It’s low carb, gluten free, and perfect for meal prep or easy weeknight dinners!

Love this recipe for an easy weeknight dinner!! Make the pesto, pasta and chicken ahead for a quick, throw together meal! It’s also a really great recipe for meal prep and packing for lunches! The chickpea pasta keeps it lower carb and gluten free. Even the pickiest eaters won’t know the pesto has KALE!! Let me know what you think!

Kale Pesto Chicken + Chickpea Pasta

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Kale Pesto Chicken + Chickpea Pasta

Really delicious recipe for kale pesto chicken with chickpea pasta. It’s low carb, gluten free, and perfect for meal prep or easy weeknight dinners!

AvatarRecipe by:Lindsay Grimes
Prep: 15 minsCook: 15 minsTotal: 30 mins
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: 4 1x

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. grape tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup pistachios
  • 2 cups packed kale (about 2 – 3 leaves, de-stemmed)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb. chicken breast
  • salt + pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or favorite cooking oil)
  • 8 oz. chickpea pasta
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella balls, halved
  • 2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped

Instructions

  1. Toss the grape tomatoes with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
  2. Spread them out on a lined baking sheet and broil for 4 – 5 minutes, until charred and they burst.
  3. Place the pistachios, kale, garlic, sea salt, and extra virgin olive oil in the food processor.
  4. Blend until completely combined, taking a break to scrape down the sides and blend again to get it completely chopped and combined.
  5. Liberally sprinkle the chicken breast with salt and pepper.
  6. Place the chicken in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat and cook 4 – 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Cover the skillet to keep the heat in and help the chicken cook.
  7. Cook the chickpea pasta according to package instructions.
  8. Drain the pasta and toss with the kale pesto in a large bowl.
  9. Top with the charred tomatoes, mozzarella, sliced chicken, and chopped pistachios.

Tips

Serving: Calories 378; Fat 35.8g (Sat 5.9g); Protein 11.0g; Carb 7.9g (net carb 5.8); Fiber 2.1g; Sodium 707mg

Nutritional facts do not take into account the chickpea pasta, so please check your individual packaging!

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Really delicious recipe for kale pesto chicken with chickpea pasta. It's low carb, gluten free, and perfect for meal prep or easy weeknight dinners! thetoastedpinenut.com #glutenfree #healthymeal #weeknightmeal #familymeal

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  1. AvatarIzzy says

    Posted on 3/14/17 at 7:40 am

    This looks so good – I would just make it vegetarian 🙂
    Izzy | Pinch of delight

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay says

      Posted on 3/14/17 at 12:49 pm

      Thanks Izzy!! It would be delish with or without the chicken!! xo

      Reply

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Lindsay

Hi Friend!

I'm Lindsay I love sharing simple, better-for-you recipes. When I'm not in the kitchen, you can find me at the beach watching my kids boogie board and soaking in that warm Cali sun (with sunscreen, of course).

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