Herb-Pine Nut Chicken & Zucchini Noodles
A simple, gut-friendly reboot meal with tender chicken, zucchini noodles, and pine nut pesto for easy digestion. This italian-inspired whole30 ready in about 23 minutes pairs chicken breasts, medium zucchini, pine nuts for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 oz chicken breasts
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 tbsp pine nuts
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Thinly slice 6 oz chicken breasts into 1/4-inch strips. Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat, add chicken, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Step 2: Use a spiralizer to turn 2 medium zucchinis into noodles; set aside.
- Step 3: Blend 1 tbsp pine nuts, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1 tbsp avocado oil in a mini food processor until smooth and paste-like, about 1 minute.
- Step 4: Toss cooked chicken with zucchini noodles, then drizzle with the basil pesto and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Pine Nut Chicken & Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 23 minutes (12 min prep + 11 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Herb-Pine Nut Chicken & Zucchini Noodles?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Pine Nut Chicken & Zucchini Noodles?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Herb-Pine Nut Chicken & Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Herb-Pine Nut Chicken & Zucchini Noodles?
Italian whole30 like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
