Creamy pesto chicken over spaghetti squash that's paleo-friendly and gluten-free
Prep Time2hours15minutes
Cook Time15minutes
Servings4
AuthorMelissa @ Making it Sweet
Ingredients
1Medium Spaghetti Squash
2BonelessSkinless Chicken Breasts
1Roma Tomato diced
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
For the Cream Sauce
1Cupof Raw Cashews
2Clovesof Garlic
2Tbsp.Nutritional Yeast
Water
For the Pesto
1CupFresh Basil
1Heaping Tablespoon of Pine Nuts
1CloveGarlic
1TbspNutritional Yeast
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
Bake the Spaghetti Squash
Preheat oven to 400°F
Slice the spaghetti squash horizontally to make 1-inch rings
Lay squash rings in one layer and drizzle with olive oil
Bake for 30 minutes
Allow to cool (about 15-20 minutes) then peel off the skin and shred into "noodles"
Make the Cream Sauce
Place raw cashews in a bowl and add just enough water to cover the nuts.
Soak for 2 hours (or more)
Place the cashews with the water, garlic, and nutritional yeast in a high-powered blender (like a NutriBullet)
Blend then add a little more water, salt or nutritional yeast if needed.
Make the Pesto
Place basil, garlic, pine nuts, nutritional yeast and salt and pepper in a food processor.
Run the food processor and add olive oil until it comes together. It shouldn't be runny, but thick enough that it holds a little shape on a spoon.
Cook the Chicken
Salt and pepper the chicken breasts on both sides and cook on medium in a large pan.
Cooking times will vary but it would be about 5-7 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the breast.
Remove chicken from pan and cover it with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 5 minutes then chop into 1x2 inch pieces.
Put the pan on low and add the cream and pesto sauces. Add the chicken pieces and stir to combine. Allow sauce and chicken to heat through and add salt and pepper to taste. Add the tomato right before serving.
Plate the spaghetti squash and top with the chicken and cream sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired.
Recipe Notes
To save time, bake the spaghetti squash while you put together the sauces.