Keto Grilled Chicken Margherita Pasta Recipe
Today, we're taking the classic Italian flavors of Margherita pizza but giving it a keto twist over pasta…But wait, PASTA? How is that keto-friendly?
Well, with It's Skinny, you can have delicious pasta, juicy grilled chicken, tomatoes, and basil in one perfectly flavorful dish. This recipe is ideal for those summer nights when you want something fast with an Italian flair.
Grilled Chicken Margherita Pasta: The Perfect Flavorful Dish
Margherita pizza has long been an Italian favorite. It is said to have originated in Naples in the 1800s. As the legend goes, while visiting, Queen Margherita of Savoy requested a simple meal with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil…and pizza history was born!
The ingredients represent the colors of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil. It showcases the beauty of simplicity with fresh, traditional ingredients. The flavors happen to go together perfectly, and it's the ideal light-but-filling option.
Now, how did chicken come into the mix? Grilled chicken is a great option when looking for ways to add protein to the dish. Chicken happens to go with the other flavors seamlessly, and it adds some needed heartiness and flavor.
At It’s Skinny, we’re always looking for creative ways to “pastify” your favorite dishes—especially pizza. Our pasta is a perfect way to enjoy those flavors you love but to make it low-effort and, in this case, low-carb!
It’s Skinny Pasta is the ideal platform for any keto-friendly pasta dish. With zero net carbohydrates and only 9 calories per pack, you really can’t go wrong with It’s Skinny. Like the namesake pizza, this dish is simple, flavorful and light.
The Mediterranean-inspired meal takes very little effort. It’s well worth going the extra step to get fresh ingredients, especially the basil.
Lightening Up Your Favorite Dishes with It’s Skinny
It may be hard to believe you can lighten up dishes with pasta, but you'll be amazed once you meet It's Skinny.
Our zero net carb pasta is the go-to replacement for any of your favorite carb-loaded meals. It’s Skinny comes in a variety of shapes so you can find your perfect pasta match for any makeover.
Choose from:
· Orzo
· Couscous
No matter the meal, you'll find the right pairing with It's Skinny. Our shirataki noodles get their impressive stats from a unique ingredient called konjac root. This root vegetable resembles a radish and happens to make great pasta!
The noodles are high in a satisfying type of fiber called glucomannan, so they’ll fuel you for your day and keep you satisfied, never deprived.
What’s more, It’s Skinny products are gluten-free, plant-based, keto-friendly, and so easy to make. There's no need to boil water. Just open the package, drain, rinse, and toss your noodles with your other ingredients.
Like traditional pasta, It's Skinny takes on the flavors of the sauce and surrounding ingredients. The texture is al dente, and the satisfaction is unbeatable. With a flavor-forward meal like Grilled Chicken Margharita, It’s Skinny is right at home.
Customizing Chicken Margherita Pasta
The kitchen offers a lot of room for customization and experimentation. You can have fun with your food—mix up flavors and add a little of this and that. Now, this simple recipe doesn’t need much to wow, but here are a few ideas if you feel like a change.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Heat lovers, go for the kick! You can add crushed red pepper or even chopped hot peppers to this dish to give it a little more oomph. Garlic powder gives it a nice amount of flavor, but real crushed garlic is always an option if you prefer.
For some extra bite, thinly sliced red onions go well here. You could also add a spicy Italian protein like hot sausage to take things into the hot zone.
Can I add some more vegetables?
We have a recipe for Margherita pasta if you want the vegetarian standard. If you'd like to add a few more veggies to your diet, this pasta is a great option, too. The basil and tomato go particularly well with red peppers, green peppers, or onions.
Mushrooms are right at home in this recipe. You could add a leafy green like sauteed spinach or baby kale. Even thinly sliced grilled zucchini or eggplant would go great in this summertime pasta dish.
Are there other types of cheese that go well in chicken Margherita pasta?
Mozzarella and parmesan are the classic choices for this dish, along with many other Italian favorites. But you can always try different cheeses of your choice. Riccotta makes a creamier, milder dish. Provolone is an excellent swap for mozzarella.
If you’re going dairy-free you could omit the cheese or swap it for a substitute like nutritional yeast or cashew cheese. If you still want to keep it keto-friendly, be sure to double-check the stats for any swaps. Some dairy substitutes can contain more carbs (and you don’t want to derail your progress).
Grilled Chicken Margherita Pasta Recipe
This recipe comes together fast. If you don’t have time to grill chicken or don’t have a countertop grill or grill pan, you could opt for sauteed chicken instead. Even leftover rotisserie chicken is a nice option.
Ready fast, with fresh flavors, this is a great dish for summer dining! Here's how to grill up a fantastic pasta dish tonight!
Ingredients
· 1 pack It’s Skinny Spaghetti
· 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
· 2 tbsp olive oil
· 1 tsp Italian seasoning
· ½ tsp garlic powder
· ½ tsp salt
· ¼ tsp black pepper
· 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
· ¼ cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
· ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
· ¼ cup grated parmesan
Instructions:
Step 1: Open the pack of It’s Skinny Spaghetti, drain, rinse, and set the noodles aside.
Step 2: Rub the chicken breasts with half the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Using a countertop grill, grill pan, or outdoor grill, cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Slice the grilled chicken into strips.
Step 3: Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the cherry tomatoes for 3-5 minutes until softened and juicy. Add the It's Skinny Pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat. Allow the pasta to heat through for approximately 3 minutes. Add the basil and stir.
Step 4: Plate the pasta, topping with the sliced chicken and sprinkling generously with the mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with extra basil to garnish and enjoy
