I made this recipce for a high-protein and creamy chicken pesto sauce while I was trying out some super low-calorie pasta alternatives from Clean Foods. I needed something rich that would distract from whatever flavours I was potentially about to experience!
Everyone loves pesto, right? Well rather than serving your guests with a basic, straight from the jar job, make it your own with this delicious recipe.
Taking inspiration from classic Italian dishes, I tried to slim it down as much as I could. I had some extra calories to play with because I was eating it with super low-cal pasta and I recommend you explore some alternatives too. Pasta is great, but it really does pack some calories!
Creamy chicken pesto pasta sauce recipe
Try this delicious high-protein creamy chicken pesto pasta sauce recipe with your favourite pasta or skinny pasta alternative. Rich, indulgent and filling.
Equipment
- Non-stick Frying Pan
Ingredients
- 400 g Chicken breast Cubed
- Spray Olive oil
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 150 g Onion Chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic Chopped
- 20 g Salted butter
- 1.5 tsp Plain flour
- 150 ml Skimmed milk
- 100 ml Water
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 15 g Dried parmesan
- 50 g Pesto
- 12 Cherry tomatoes Halved
- 5 Basil leaves Torn
Instructions
- Cook the chicken breast in a griddle or non-stick frying pan with some spray olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Once cooked, remove it from the pan and leave to one side
- Heat 1 tsp olive oil in the non-stick frying pan over medium heat and sauté the onion until tender
- Stir in the garlic and butter, and sauté for about 1 minute until garlic is soft and fragrant
- Stir in the flour and then add the milk, water, salt and pepper and simmer 4 minutes, stirring constantly
- Add the parmesan, pesto, tomatoes and basil. Cook 4 minutes, or until heated through
- Add your cooked pasta (or pasta alternative) and add it with the chicken to the sauce and mix together on a low heat until hot and serve
Notes
While photographed with tagliatelle (a treat), I usually use 50g of Clean Foods Protein Pasta which I find to be a good alternative which retains the texture and experience of eating pasta. It packs 21.5g of protein, just 6.8g carbs and is only 188 calories!
NUTRITIONAL VALUES (per serving, without pasta)
Calories: 520
Protein: 55g
Carbohydrate: 24g (of which 14g sugars)
Fat: 23g (of which 7g saturates)
Fibre: 4g
