Vegan Pesto Chicken
Elevate your plant-based cooking game with this vibrant Vegan Pesto Chicken recipe! Featuring tender plant-based chicken pieces smothered in a creamy, homemade basil pesto, this dish is packed with fresh, bold flavors. The pesto blends aromatic basil, nutty pine nuts, savory nutritional yeast, and a zesty touch of lemon juice for a dairy-free take on a classic sauce. Tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes and nutrient-rich baby spinach, this quick and easy one-pan meal comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Whether served alone or paired with your favorite sides like pasta, rice, or crusty bread, this vegan twist on pesto chicken will leave everyone asking for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Plant-based chicken pieces
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cups Pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.25 cups Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 200 grams Cherry tomatoes
- 100 grams Baby spinach
Instructions
Start by preparing the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and set aside.
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the plant-based chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through and have a light golden color.
While the plant-based chicken is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes.
Once the chicken pieces are cooked, lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the prepared pesto, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes and baby spinach to the pan. Stir gently until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes are slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove from heat and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1461 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 99.8 g | 128% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.4 g | 62% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2881 mg | 125% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.5 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.8 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.2 g | ||
| Protein | 96.6 g | 193% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 390 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 16.4 mg | 91% | |
| Potassium | 1866 mg | 40% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
