Pesto burps. They never seem to come at the right times. Like during a workout. Not my favorite thing.
I’m into Michael Jackson right now. And Glee versions of Michael Jackson.
So yesterday, I was having a real off day. Probably because I’m pmsing. Ew, TMI. Anywho, I was an emotional mess. I cooked 4 different meals and enjoyed absolutely none of it. You know how people say food is always delicious when it’s cooked with love? Well none of mine had love behind it. The food still tasted good, but with a hint of anger added to it. I’m not really an angry person, but I definitely get a crease between my eyes when I’m upset about something. Maybe it was just because I was up at 4am that day. That’s probably it. It has nothing to do with the fact I’m constantly thinking about chocolate, feeling fat, and breaking out.
Being a woman is the devil sometimes. Hate me for that statement, do it.
And yesterday I kept trying to pull myself out of self hatred. Which was much easier when Sergio came over. Just because he makes my self hatred humorous somehow. Well we decided to run around the park which was probably another poor idea since my run would be ran with no happiness behind it. And that was shown to be especially true since he is MUCH faster than me. Even though he’s shorter, those little legs can move. By the time we ended, I was practically pleading for air while Sergio briskly walked like he hadn’t just run 2.5 miles. My self hatred just morphed to humiliation.
I finally grew up and got over it. Self hatred and frustration really lead to nowhere. So I danced to Glee songs, worked out at the gym, then had froyo to ultra-spike my endorphins. Please do not tell me that this is not paleo, I understand this. But pistachio and chocolate milkshake frozen yogurt just HAVE to eaten sometimes. Especially when it’s with a special guy.
And to make something perfectly clear, Sergio is not my special guy. He’s not my boyfriend. But he is single and would certainly be interested in making friends with someone of the opposite sex. Just saying. And yes, yes I am whoring my best friend out over the internet. I’m a bad person….kind of.
Artichoke Lemon Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Yield: 4-5 1x
Ingredients
- 1lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed (or chicken thighs if you prefer)
- 1 large spaghetti squash, cut in half lengthwise (get a BIG one)
- 12–15 artichoke hearts, cut in half (I used jarred artichokes that were in olive oil for more flavor)
- 1/3 cup walnuts
- 4–5 tablespoons olive oil
- 4–5 tablespoons vegetable broth
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- juice of 1 lemon
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 3–5 cups of spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 405 degrees (not 450, stop questioning me)
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise, place cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes or until squash gives when you poke the outside of it.
- Use a spoon to remove the excess seeds then a fork to thread the strings from the squash. To make spaghetti, duh.
- But while the squash is baking, make the pesto and chicken.
- Place a large pan over medium-high heat, add a splash of fat and 1 minced garlic clove. As soon as the garlic becomes fragrant, add the halved artichokes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and let cook until slightly browned and tender on all sides.
- Once artichokes are browned, add them to a food processor along with the walnuts, olive oil, vegetable broth, and second garlic clove. Puree until smooth.
- Then add the parsley, basil, lemon, and salt and pepper. Puree once more until smooth. Taste and add more lemon and salt and pepper to your preference.
- Once pesto is done pureeing, add the chicken to the same pan that you sautéed the artichokes in.
- Cook chicken over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper.
- Once chicken is cooked through, add in about 1/4 of a cup of the pesto to the chicken along with the spinach, in the pan and mix well to coat. Cover and let cook for 2-4 minutes or until spinach is wilted.
- Then add the threads of spaghetti squash to the pan (or a large mixing bowl if you need more room). Mix spaghetti squash, pesto, and chicken all together.
- Serve with some fresh basil on top.
- Love pesto in a new way!
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You May Also Like:
Spring Vegetable Lemon Basil Pasta
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Holy goodness, this looks delicious. Incidentally, I made pesto for the first time tonight for dinner (before I saw this recipe). And it was amazing. And I was trying to think of more excuses/ways to make pesto and just thinking about pesto in general (as I’ve been doing since dinner) – and then I saw this recipe.
That was a very long and complicated explanation of why of love this idea and am so trying it.
this meal was spot on and worth the cook!!!!
Thank you so much for this great dish.
I am still trying to feel out the paleo world since I currently eat paleo-ish. I came across your blog a couple weeks ago and now have it bookmarked on my computer. You are hilarious! Partly because I can totally relate. This recipe looks delicious and I can not wait to try it!
Oh it’s you! My husband say’s I’m obsessed with food..since I have been doing this whole30 for 51 days..zumba, weights walking…then I see this recipe. Hey I still have a life…definately gonna try this…all my fav recipes come from Juli and Paleo OMG!!
Post more pics of Sergio 😉 You should do a Cooking with Sergio video!
There must have been something in the air with women because I was an unruly bitch yesterday, until i had some dark chocolate covered macadamia nuts with a side of crackers and hummus. paleo took a back seat last night.
…btw, i LOVE artichoke hearts, but any idea how to cut them correctly? I might have to youtube this.
Hahahahah LOL pesto burps are the worst!! you are too funny. Pinning this recipe!!
I hear ya, lady! I had a hell of a day yesterday and ended up crying and taking a nap after my pity party at hmmm, 6PM? My wonderful hubby dragged me out of my misery and we ended up having a nice and low key night. Woman problems and emotions are soooooo annoying…I feel ya there too!
I saw this posted on your FB page yesterday and decided to try it for dinner since I had chicken thawing that I didn’t know what on earth I was going to do with yet and I had a spaghetti squash sitting on my counter taunting me because I’ve never made one before and I’m pretty sure it knew it. Picked up the rest of the stuff I needed at Whole Foods and got to cooking the second I got home. All I’m going to say is this website is called PaleOMG for a reason….it was simply AMAZING! My 1 1/2 year old gobbled it up so fast you’d think someone was threatening to steal it from him…and my skeptic husband really enjoyed it, to the point where he wiped the bowl clean with his finger 🙂 I really can’t wait to make this again!
This sounds great – thanks for the recipe! I am an Italian girl and what I miss most with Paleo is pasta. This sounds like a great alternative. Can’t wait to try it.