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–+ servings

Pesto Pasta Meal Prep

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4.67000 from 6 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chicken Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 749kcal
Servings: 5 Containers

Ingredients

Chicken & Pasta

  • 2 Tbsp (40ml) - Olive Oil (Divided)
  • 750g (1.6lbs) - Chicken Breast or Thigh
  • 2 tsp (5g) - Onion Powder
  • 2 tsp (5g) - Garlic Powder
  • 750g (1.6lbs) - Penne or Pasta of Choice
  • Seasoning To Taste

Basil Pesto

  • 2-3 - Garlic Cloves, Minced
  • 30g (1.06oz) - Parmesan Cheese, Freshly Grated
  • 30g (1.06oz) - Pinenuts, Toasted
  • ½ - Lemon, Juiced
  • 2 Bunches (60g) - Fresh Basil, Picked + Stems, Chopped
  • ½ Cup (125ml) - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Seasoning To Taste

Method

Chicken & Pasta

  • Preheat oven to 200°c - 390°f.
    Preheat Oven
  • Add the chicken to a mixing bowl, and add in half of the oil and all the seasoning. Mix well.
    Pesto Pasta Meal Prep Season Chicken
  • Place a pan over medium-high heat, add in the remaining olive oil and sear the chicken for 2 minutes on both sides or until golden brown. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and cook for 13 minutes. Remove and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
    Pesto Pasta Meal Prep Sear Chicken
  • Thinly slice the chicken across the grain and set it aside.
    Pesto Pasta Meal Prep Slice Chicken
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add in the pasta of your choice and cook as per the packet instructions. Drain and let cool, reserving 1 cup (250ml) of the pasta water.
    Cook Pasta

Basil Pesto

  • Place the pinenuts onto a lined baking tray and roast for 4-5 minutes or until golden, in the preheated oven.
    Toast Pinenuts
  • To make the pesto, add the garlic, parmesan cheese, and toasted pinenuts to a blender, food processor, or mortar. Blend and crush into a coarse paste.
    Basil Pesto Step 1
  • Add the basil, extra virgin olive oil, and seasoning to taste. Blend or crush again until it forms a smooth and slightly coarse basil pesto. Adjust the flavour with the lemon juice and set it aside.
    Basil Pesto Step 2

Serving

  • Place the chicken, pasta, and basil pesto into a large bowl and mix well until everything is well coated. Check and adjust seasoning levels.
    Pesto Pasta Meal Prep Mix
  • Serve and divide into 5 meal prep containers. Garnish with fresh parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon (optional). Dig in.
    Pesto Pasta Meal Prep Serve
Calories 749kcalCarbohydrates 70.2gProtein 46.6gFat 31gSaturated Fat 5gPolyunsaturated Fat 5gMonounsaturated Fat 16gTrans Fat 0.02gCholesterol 181mgSodium 160mgPotassium 1007mgFiber 1.1gSugar 0.9gVitamin A 733IUVitamin C 8mgCalcium 123mgIron 4mg