Go Back
+ servings

Creamy Pesto Chicken

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 496kcal
Servings: 5 People

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 900 g Chicken Breast Diced
  • 15 ml Olive Oil
  • 4 g Garlic Powder Optional
  • 4 g Smoked Paprika Optional
  • 80 g Basil Pesto
  • 80 g High Protein Greek Yogurt
  • Salt & Pepper

Couscous

  • 310 g Dry Couscous
  • 330 ml Chicken Stock
  • 15 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 120 g Baby Spinach
  • ¼ Lemon Juiced
  • Salt & Pepper

Optional Garnish

  • Parmesan Cheese Grated
  • 5 wedges Lemon
  • Extra Pesto To Serve

Method

Cook the Chicken

  • Place a large pan over medium-high heat. Add in olive oil and chicken. Season with salt, pepper, and optional spices, then sear for 5-6 minutes or until cooked through. Turn off the heat and add in the pesto. Mix well to combine. Add in the high-protein yogurt and mix well. Remove from the stovetop.

Make the Couscous

  • In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add in the couscous and a pinch of salt and pepper, and cover with a lid. Steam for 5-6 minutes or as per the packet instructions. Remove the lid and add in the baby spinach, extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper. Mix well and allow the residual heat to wilt the spinach. If need be, place it over a medium heat and mix well until wilted. Add in lemon juice to taste.

Assemble Your Containers

  • In 5x 750ml containers, place the couscous first as a bed and add the chicken over the top. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper and a lemon wedge. Dig in.
Chef's Tips
Turn off the heat before adding the pesto and yogurt, as written — both are prone to breaking or dulling in colour and flavour under direct heat, so mixing them in off the stove is what keeps the sauce creamy and the pesto bright green.
Keep the lid on the couscous for the full 5–6 minutes without lifting it to check — it cooks entirely from residual steam, and letting that escape early is the most common reason couscous ends up undercooked and crunchy instead of fluffy.
Fold the spinach through using the residual heat first, only returning the pan to direct heat if it hasn't fully wilted — this keeps it from turning grey and overcooked.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 4 months, in an airtight container.
To reheat, microwave with a small splash of water to keep the couscous fluffy, taking care not to overheat the yogurt-based sauce, which can split if pushed too hot.
Serving 400gCalories 496kcalCarbohydrates 36gProtein 53gFat 14gSaturated Fat 2.4gPolyunsaturated Fat 1.5gMonounsaturated Fat 5.2gCholesterol 132mgSodium 340mgPotassium 865mgFiber 2.9gSugar 2.1gVitamin A 126IUVitamin C 12mgCalcium 60.9mgIron 1.5mg