Pesto Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. If you want a healthy and delicious dinner recipe then you want to make this easy chicken stuffed spaghetti squash recipe. Tender chicken, homemade pesto sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheese mixed with baked spaghetti squash is the perfect healthy and easy dinner recipe.
Pesto Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
In the summer months I end up with so much basil that the only thing I can do is make homemade pesto sauce for days. It really is not a bad thing at all, but it does mean I need to come up with ways to use it.
Chicken goes with pesto and is one of my favorite meats to use with pesto. With my love of spaghetti squash (and an over flowing amount of them on the counter because I found an awesome sale) along with pesto and chicken I wanted to make something with the three.
When I am wanting to make healthy meals for my family it is a must that they are also flavorful and easy to make. I love using spaghetti squash in place of pasta often to get more veggies into my kids. They don’t mind and most of the time when I make a stuffed spaghetti squash recipe they like it even more then the pasta versions they enjoy.
Spaghetti Squash is such a versatile veggie that easily absorbs that flavors that you mix with it, which is why I love using spaghetti squash to make stuffed spaghetti squash and spaghetti squash bowls. If you are looking for ways to use spaghetti squash, we have lots of different spaghetti squash recipes that your family is sure to love!
Spaghetti Squash Recipes
- Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
- Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
- Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti Squash
- Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
- Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
- Shrimp Alfredo Spaghetti Squash with broccoli
- Feta Spaghetti Squash
- Sundried Tomato Spaghetti Squash
- Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
- Sausage and peppers spaghetti squash
- Enchilada spaghetti squash
Why you will love Pesto chicken spaghetti Squash
Easy recipe. For this simple spaghetti squash recipe you will bake the spaghetti squash and the chicken in the oven, then cut the chicken, and mix the baked spaghetti squash, with the baked chicken, pesto sauce and top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, then bake in the oven for the cheese to melt. The oven does most of the work, which makes it really easy. Making homemade pesto is also super easy to do and you can make that while the chicken and squash are in the oven.
Full of flavor. Pesto and chicken pair so well and make a light but flavorful combination, mixed with spaghetti squash you get a pasta like dish that is healthy and flavorful.
Healthy Dinner. Spaghetti squash is healthy as is chicken and homemade pesto. Combined together it makes for a tasty healthy dinner.
What to serve with Chicken Pesto Spaghetti Squash
Since the main dish has protein and veggies I like to add simple sides. Normally I stick with a salad and bread. With our salads I like to make homemade dressings including poppy seed dressing, Balsamic Dressing Recipe and Garlic Lime Vinaigrette Dressing. If you are looking for side dish ideas, check out some of our favorites.
- Garlic Cheddar Biscuits
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Avocado BLT Salad
- Spinach Strawberry Salad
- Olive Garden Salad
- Caesar Salad
Variations of this recipe
Pesto. If you are short on time or do not have homemade pesto already in the fridge, then the jarred pesto will work. However I personally prefer homemade pesto sauce, I think it tastes so much better!
Change up the protein. You can also use shrimp or turkey in this recipe if you do not want to use chicken.
Add more veggies. You can also add more veggies if you want to, roasted peppers and cherry tomatoes are something that we sometimes add when we made it.
Can I make this into a casserole?
Yes. I like using the spaghetti squash shell, but you can put the pesto chicken spaghetti squash into a baking dish and then top with the parmesan and mozzarella cheese and finish it that way instead.
Is spaghetti Squash low carb?
Yes. Spaghetti squash is low carb and this pesto chicken recipe is a great recipe to make if you are on a low carb or keto diet and wanting a meal that the whole family will love.
How to Cut Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti Squash can be very hard to cut because they are very firm vegetables with a hard outer shell. But you can use a few tricks to make cutting spaghetti squash easier. If you can’t get your knife into the shell to cut it heating it in the microwave will make it easier. Using your knife make little dashes all the way around the squash where you are planning to cut it open.
Then place it in the microwave for 5 minutes to soften the outside. Once it comes out you just cut along that line of dashes much easier. You are going to want to cut the spaghetti squash length-wise so that you end up with two long pieces.
How to Store Spaghetti with chicken
Cooked spaghetti squash needs to be stored in the fridge. Allow the spaghetti squash to cool completely, then remove from the shell and store in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to reheat spaghetti Squash
You can reheat this spaghetti squash with the microwave or you can put it in a baking dish in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until it is all heated thoroughly.
Can I freeze Spaghetti Squash?
I do not suggest freezing this recipe, when mixed with sauce and cheese and then frozen the spaghetti squash tends to get mushy.
Pesto Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Ingredients
- 1 large spaghetti squash
- 1 pounds chicken breast (2 chicken breasts)
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
How to Make Pesto Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Lay skin side down on a rimmed sheet pan, lined with aluminum foil.
Cut your chicken in half so you have for pieces of chicken. Place the chicken on the sheet pan, season with salt and pepper.
Bake the spaghetti squash for 45 mins or until cooked to a touch with a fork. Bake chicken for 30-40 minutes and remove from the oven when it is done cooking.
Scrape the flesh with a fork to create noodles. Dice the chicken into small pieces.
Combine the noodles, chicken and pesto together in a large bowl.
Place the mix back into the empty shells.
Top with the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese and place under the broiler until golden brown.
Tasty Chicken Recipes
- Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings
- Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
- Dorito Chicken Casserole
- Chicken and Potato Casserole
- Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Pesto Spaghetti Squash Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 large spaghetti squash
- 1 pounds chicken breast 2 chicken breasts
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
- Lay skin side down on a rimmed sheet pan, lined with aluminum foil.
- Cut your chicken in half so you have for pieces of chicken. Place the chicken on the sheet pan, season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 45 mins or until cooked to a touch with a fork.
- Scrape the flesh with a fork to create noodles. Dice the chicken into small pieces.
- Combine the noodles, chicken and pesto together in a large bowl.
- Place the mix back into the empty shells.
- Top with the cheeses and place under the broiler until golden brown.
This chicken Spaghetti Squash Recipe is just 2 SmartPoints on Weight Watchers FreeStyle Plan.
Comments & Reviews
Jen Hudson Mosher says
Thabk you for this recipe!! I made it tonight and it was SO good!! Even my picky husband liked it!!
MidgetMomma says
your welcome 🙂 And its always the best when a picky eater loves something 🙂