Pesto Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts over Tomato Spinach Pasta

May 10, 2023May 10, 20230 3
Pesto Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts over Tomato Spinach Pasta for a Healthy Meal
in Poultry

Prep

20 min

Cook

35 min

Ready In

55 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

1 lb spinach pasta ( you can really use any of your favorite pastas , but the spinach is best for this )
2 cans Italian tomatoes
1 small onion , diced ( optional )
1 teaspoon garlic , minced
1/3 cup white wine
2 tablespoons fresh basil , chopped fine
1 teaspoon olive oil
salt
pepper
4 -6 boneless skinless chicken breasts ( slightly pounded )
8 ounces pesto sauce ( a good quality store bought pesto is fine , or home made if you want )
2 cups Italian breadcrumbs
1 cup parmesan cheese , grated
olive oil
parmesan cheese ( optional )

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
4-6
Calories
584
Sugar
4g
Fat
25g
This dish is a modern take on a classic Italian meal. The chicken breasts are coated in a flavorful pesto and breadcrumbs mixture that crisps up in the oven. The tomato spinach pasta is a healthy twist on traditional spaghetti. The dish is a satisfying combination of bold flavors and textures that's easy to make, yet impressive enough to serve to guests. It's perfect for a healthy, filling meal when time is short.

Instructions

1.Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of the cooking water before draining.
2.In a large saucepan, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
3.Pour in canned Italian tomatoes, white wine, and fresh basil. Simmer for ten minutes until the sauce has thickened.
4.Toss cooked pasta together with the spinach and tomato sauce. Add some of the reserved cooking water to thin out the sauce if needed.
5.Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat chicken breasts in pesto sauce and place them in an oven-proof baking dish.
6.Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese together in a separate bowl. Cover the chicken breasts with the breadcrumb mixture.
7.Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the chicken breasts. Bake them for 25-30 minutes until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
8.Serve the chicken breasts over the tomato spinach pasta. Top with more grated parmesan cheese if desired.

PROS

This meal is loaded with protein and fiber from the chicken and spinach pasta.

The tomato-based sauce is packed with antioxidants which help fight off disease.

It’s a simple, one-dish meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.

CONS

The amount of parmesan cheese and pesto sauce used could make this recipe quite high in calories and fat.

Also, the breadcrumbs that coat the chicken are not gluten-free.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

The chicken breasts in this dish are an excellent source of lean protein and a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, and selenium.
The spinach and tomatoes provide fiber, vitamins A and C, and the carotenoids that give tomatoes their red color, which are important for heart health.
Basil, a central ingredient in pesto, contains flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory properties.

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