Easy Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl Recipe That’s Ready in Minutes

Noodle chicken pesto bowls craft ordinary meals into vibrant culinary adventures that spark excitement at the dinner table.

These delightful dishes blend rich, herbal flavors with tender protein and silky pasta strands.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious symphony of textures and tastes.

Each carefully crafted bowl represents a perfect balance between comfort and sophistication.

Homemade pesto adds a robust, aromatic dimension that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Fresh herbs and quality components make these bowls more than just another weeknight dinner.

Passionate home cooks will appreciate how quickly these bowls come together with minimal effort.

Flavorful Highlights of This Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl

• Craft Quick Healthy Meal: This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into a delightful, nutritious dish that's ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunch breaks.
• Enjoy Low-Carb Comfort: Zucchini noodles replace traditional pasta, creating a lighter alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor, making it ideal for health-conscious food lovers who want satisfaction without guilt.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: The recipe teaches easy pan-searing for perfectly cooked chicken and spiralizing techniques for vegetable noodles, empowering home cooks to develop versatile culinary skills with minimal kitchen equipment.
• Celebrate Fresh Flavor Combinations: Basil pesto, juicy tomatoes, and herbs blend beautifully with tender chicken and zucchini noodles, delivering a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired meal that feels like a restaurant-quality experience right at home.

Ingredients for a Tasty Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein source, best when fresh and at room temperature before cooking.
• Garlic: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic quality to the dish.

• Zucchini: Low-carb pasta alternative, spiralized for light and fresh texture.
• Tomatoes: Adds bright color and fresh burst of flavor.

• Olive Oil: Helps with cooking and adds smooth richness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Paprika: Provides subtle warmth and slight color to chicken.
• Basil Pesto: Creamy sauce that brings Mediterranean-style flavor.

• Fresh Basil Leaves: Provides fresh herbal finish and aromatic touch.

Instructions to Make Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl Easily

Step 1: Season And Sear Chicken

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 2-5 minutes until fully cooked. Let chicken rest.

Step 2: Transform Zucchini Into Noodles

Use a spiralizer to create delicate zucchini strands, transforming the vegetable into pasta-like noodles.

Step 3: Sauté Zucchini Noodles

Add olive oil to the same skillet. Toss in zucchini noodles and minced garlic. Stir frequently until noodles soften slightly. Sprinkle with salt. If excess moisture appears, drain in a colander.

Step 4: Slice Chicken

Cut cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

Step 5: Combine With Pesto

Gently mix zucchini noodles with fresh basil pesto in a serving bowl.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

Top zucchini noodle bowl with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.

Helpful Notes for the Best Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl

• Spiralize with Precision: Use a sharp spiralizer and apply even pressure to create uniform, spaghetti-like zucchini noodles for consistent texture and cooking.
• Drain Excess Moisture: Pat zucchini noodles with paper towels or let them sit in a colander to prevent a watery dish and ensure a perfect al dente consistency.
• Season Strategically: Sprinkle salt on chicken and zoodles during cooking to enhance flavor depth without overwhelming the delicate pesto sauce.
• Control Cooking Temperature: Use medium-high heat when sautéing zucchini noodles to prevent overcooking and maintain their crisp, fresh texture.
• Customize Protein: Swap chicken with grilled shrimp, tofu, or plant-based alternatives to suit different dietary preferences while keeping the recipe's core flavors intact.

How to Store and Warm Up Chicken Pesto Bowls

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the chicken and zucchini noodles separate to maintain their texture and prevent sogginess. Consume refrigerated portions within 3-4 days.
• Reheat Chicken: Warm chicken slices gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out.
• Revive Zoodles: Quickly sauté zucchini noodles in a hot pan with a touch of olive oil for 1-2 minutes to restore their texture. Avoid overheating to prevent them from becoming mushy. Toss with fresh pesto just before serving.

What Matches Well with Chicken Pesto Bowls

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the fresh pesto and zucchini noodles perfectly, cutting through the rich flavors with its bright, acidic notes.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Side Salad: Toss a quick Greek salad with cucumber, feta, kalamata olives, and a light lemon vinaigrette to enhance the herb-packed pesto bowl and add extra texture.
• Fresh Herbal Sparkling Drink: Prepare a homemade basil-mint spritzer with sparkling water, fresh herbs, and a touch of lemon to mirror the green, vibrant flavors of the pesto chicken bowl.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Companion: Serve a warm slice of toasted sourdough or rustic Italian bread to soak up any extra pesto and provide a satisfying crunch alongside the light zucchini noodles.

Tasty Twists for Chicken Pesto Bowl Recipes

• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Swap basil pesto with sun-dried tomato pesto and add crumbled feta cheese. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for extra heat and garnish with chopped kalamata olives.
• Protein Powerhouse Bowl: Replace chicken with grilled shrimp or tofu. Mix in roasted pine nuts and add a dollop of Greek yogurt for creamy texture. Incorporate spinach leaves for additional nutrients.
• Asian-Inspired Zoodle Creation: Use green curry paste instead of pesto. Drizzle with sesame oil and top with sliced green onions. Add edamame beans for crunch and protein boost. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
• Vegetarian Garden Blend: Skip meat entirely and load the zoodles with sautéed mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, and grilled eggplant. Use a dairy-free pesto made from nutritional yeast and fresh herbs.

Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty noodle chicken pesto bowl brings Italian-inspired comfort to your dinner table. Creamy pesto sauce glazes tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles, delivering a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• ½ pound (226 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables:

• 2 medium zucchini (about 454 grams)
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 handful cherry tomatoes, cut in half

Seasonings and Oils:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• Kosher salt

Sauce and Garnish:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) prepared basil pesto
• Several fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Season the chicken breast with a light dusting of salt and paprika, ensuring even coverage on both sides.
2. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for perfect searing.
3. Carefully place the chicken breast in the hot pan, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust for 1-2 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked through, approximately 2-5 minutes depending on thickness.
5. Transfer the chicken to a resting surface, allowing juices to redistribute while preparing the remaining components.
6. Transform zucchini into delicate spirals using a spiralizer, creating elegant, pasta-like strands.
7. Return the pan to high heat, adding another drizzle of olive oil to create a fragrant cooking surface.
8. Introduce zucchini noodles and thinly sliced garlic to the pan, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
9. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the zucchini noodles, gently wilting them while maintaining a crisp texture.
10. If excess moisture appears, drain the zucchini noodles in a colander to prevent sogginess.
11. Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform and appealing presentation.
12. Combine zucchini noodles with vibrant basil pesto, thoroughly coating each strand for maximum flavor.
13. Arrange the pesto-dressed zucchini noodles in serving bowls, artfully topping with sliced chicken.
14. Garnish with fresh cherry tomatoes and delicate basil leaves, creating a visually appealing and appetizing dish.

Notes

• Perfectly seasoned chicken breast ensures juicy, flavorful meat that elevates the entire dish.
• Spiralizing zucchini creates light, low-carb noodles that absorb the delicious pesto beautifully.
• Draining zucchini noodles prevents watery sauce, maintaining a fresh and crisp texture.
• High-heat sautéing develops rich caramelization on chicken and quick-cooks zucchini noodles.
• Fresh basil and tomatoes add bright, colorful finishing touches that enhance the pesto’s herbal notes.
• Quick one-pan cooking method minimizes cleanup and maximizes efficient meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 75mg