Quick MealsSpicy Thai Pesto Chicken Noodle Bowls! These gluten free noodle bowls are delicious and easy to make! The Thai basil pesto brings a kick of flavor and a dose of Healthy antioxidants! A dairy free dinner that’s ready in less than 45 minutes and great for a hungry crew!
There are two types of people in this world.. er.. food world. Those who LOVE pesto and those who don’t. If you don’t love pesto, hang tight, because I just might convince you. On the other hand, almost EVERYONE I know loves pasta or noodles or. I mean, who wouldn’t? Noodles make eating more fun and they go with just about everything; bonus if they are gluten free noodle bowls, right? That being said, I have a tasty Thai/Italian chicken gluten free noodle recipe today that will definitely make you LOVE pesto. Yep, Thai Basil Pesto Chicken Gluten Free Noodle bowls! Say that three times fast!
We love noodles for their willingness to adapt, but honestly, it’s the TYPE of noodle/pasta that is KEY, don’t you think? Thick, thin, short, long, rice, bean. You get my point. And, well, Explore Asian’s gluten free brown rice noodles and bean pasta are pretty much “on point” for adapting to flavors. Yes, pun intended.. naturally.
Are you tired of me talking about noodles yet? I hope not, I have so much more to gush about… alongside this spicy thai pesto. Swoon!
Okay, so about these noodles/bean pasta. We love them and actually have been using them for YEARS! In fact, they were a staple in my husband’s diet when we was training for Ironman New Zealand earlier this year. I had to get recovery meals on the table FAST! I mean, this guy was training 40 hours a week, he ate like a horse. As a wife and Nutrition Specialist, I was glad that Explore Asian bean and brown rice noodles were quick to make and a healthy gluten free or grain free carb source we could rely on! Nothing else added, just pure wholesome ingredients. Explore Asian bean noodles also provided an awesome source of plant protein just when we (he) needed it for proper post workout recovery. The black bean and edamame pasta have about 25 grams of protein per serving! That’s impressive!
Plus I adore the fact that Explore Asian buys directly from organic farmers in Thailand. Ya, that definitely gets bonus points in my book. Oh, and the never get soggy! PRAISE THE GLUTEN FREE NOODLE GODS!
But here’s the thing, and where I’m going with this noodles galore post. Once you find the right noodle/bean pasta, the rest of the ingredients can be left up to your imagination, or to your nutritional needs, or to your cravings!
Hence my Thai Pesto Chicken Gluten Free Noodle Bowls! Extra spicy please.
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Spicy Thai Pesto Chicken Gluten Free Noodle Bowls
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4-5 1x
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Spicy Thai Pesto Chicken Noodle Bowls! These gluten free noodle bowls are delicious and easy to make! The thai pesto brings a kick of flavor and a dose of Healthy antioxidants! A dairy free dinner that’s ready in less than 45 minutes.
Ingredients
THAI PESTO Ingredients
- 1–2 cups thai basil leaves
- 1/3 cup tahini paste (see notes for alternative)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
- 2 garlic peeled
- 1/2 tbsp Chili Pepper Flakes
- 1/3 cup olive or avocado oil
- 1 tsp or less of lemon juices
- sea salt/pepper to taste
- optional pinch of ground ginger
FOR THE CHICKEN NOODLES
- 1 Pack (8oz) of Rice Pad Thai Noodles (Explore Asian)
- sea salt
- 10–12 ounces of chicken breast (usually 2 breast work great)
- 3–4 tbsp sesame oil (additional tbsp for noodles)
- 2– 3 tbsp tamari or gluten free soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic or garlic powder
- 2 cups sliced mushroom
- Chili pepper topping
Instructions
For the pesto:
- Clean your Basil and gently dry with towel.
- Place your basil, garlic, and walnuts in a food processor. Grind and slowly add in your tamari and oil while it’s still mixing/processing.
- Add in your chili pepper, pepper, salt, ginger, and lemon, and continue to grind or churn in the food processor until smooth and creamy. This will make about 1/2 to 2/3 cups pesto
- Spoon into a bowl and set aside.
For the chicken and noodles:
- First cook the noodles according to the package (boil with water and salt for 4-5 minutes) then drain and run under cold water. Set aside or back on the stove on low with a little oil added, maybe just a tbsp.
- Next, slice your chicken into strips. Place chicken sesame oil, tamari, and garlic in a large frying pan. Stir fry for a few minutes and then add in your mushrooms.
- Keep on medium to medium high heat until chicken and mushrooms are thoroughly cooked.Feel free to add in more oil or tamari if needed.
- Next you can combine all your ingredients together in one dish or layer them into one big bowl (as seen in picture above). Just be sure to toss all together before serving into individual bowls.
- Garnish with extra chili pepper, basil, and/or garlic/pepper if desired.
Notes
If you don’t have tahini, you can use cashew butter.
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Asian
What’s so special about this Thai Pesto? Well.. THAI BASIL OF COURSE; and the superfood ingredients I added to make it!
Thai basil is bolder and slightly spicier than any other kind of basil!
But what I like most about Thai Basil is it’s health benefits. Did you know this basil is actually called the “better basil” because of it’s magical powers?
Yep, it’s PACKED with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties! Plus, it’s said to have certain beneficial compounds that help reduce stress and anxiety. I’ll eat a bowl of Thai basil pesto and noodles right now then PLEASE! (more benefits of basil here).
So you see, these gluten free noodles by Explore Asia are quite magical. They can take almost any ingredient and help turn it into one healthy tasty dish in NO TIME! Tried and tested and Cotter approved.
Check out Explore Asia’s new protein-based bean pasta at Whole Foods, Costco and Fairway stores! You can also see there gluten free noodles and other products online as well at www.explore-asian.com.
Ever tried Thai Basil or bean pasta?
Cheers to spicy pesto and gluten free noodle bowls!
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Explore Asian.
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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jill conyers says
December 11, 2015 at 5:25 AMI had forever given up pasta because I couldn’t find a good tasting and texture gf pasta. Explore Asian changed that! I can and do enjoy pasta again.
Cotter Crunch says
December 11, 2015 at 8:26 AMwoohoo! same here!
Michele @ paleorunnningmomma says
December 11, 2015 at 6:05 AMNo need to sell me on pesto since I’m definitely a fan! This looks so fantastic 🙂
Cotter Crunch says
December 11, 2015 at 8:25 AMthanks friend! i gotta try the pesto on other things. Any ideas?
Megan @ skinny fitalicious says
December 11, 2015 at 6:11 AMI am a pesto lover! I can’t say I feel the same about noodles. I can’t remember the last time I ate anything pasta. It’s always hurt my stomach so I stay away. 🙁
Cotter Crunch says
December 11, 2015 at 8:25 AMhave you added beans back in? I love their bean pasta for digestion. It’s pretty easy on the gut.
Blair says
December 11, 2015 at 6:22 AMAll 3 of my boys have loved pesto since they were infants, and it’s still one of their absolute favorites. Your Thai version sounds incredible!!! What a delicious dinner. Mmmmmm….
Cotter Crunch says
December 11, 2015 at 8:24 AMhaha yay! i love your boys! although do they like spicy? cause this is kinda spicy. If you try it, maybe less chili pepper flakes?
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
December 11, 2015 at 7:06 AMI love anything with Thai basil. And spicy. ZOMG I’ll have to figure out a way to make it less oily, but DAMN girl
Taylor @ food faith fitness says
December 11, 2015 at 7:23 AMLove this change of scenery! It’s all cookies and baking most of this month, so I am loving to see a little change up! 🙂 I love the pesto kick to this pasta dish and could soooooo dip my face into this right now!
Dietitian Jess says
December 11, 2015 at 7:49 AMTahini in the thai basil sauce sounds so interesting! I’ve never thought of using it in pesto before but I bet it’d be great! Have a good weekend!!
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 5:14 PMit was tasty! still creamy though, you know? and savoy! let me know if you try!
Liz S. says
December 11, 2015 at 8:10 AMEven though I’m already a pesto lover, this recipe makes me love it even more! YUM!
★★★★★
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 5:15 PMyea! me too Liz
rAchel @ Athletic avocado says
December 11, 2015 at 8:31 AMseriously thai pesto!??? like what!? amazingness! I would love to put this pesto chicken on zucchini noodles which would be absolute perfection 🙂
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 5:10 PMoh yes! zoodles are on my list with this next!
EA Stewart says
December 11, 2015 at 8:56 AMBean pasta? Love it! Pesto? LOVE it even more!!! Craving a big ‘ol bowl of this at 6 am!!!
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 5:07 PMYEA! it’s soo good anytime of day! breakfast included!
Annmarie says
December 11, 2015 at 9:02 AMI make a Thai dish once a week- totally adding this into the rotation! Pinned for later 🙂
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 5:06 PMoh yay! keep me posted!
Jess @hellotofit says
December 11, 2015 at 10:03 AMTeam pesto, all the way! I’m embarrassed at how much pesto I like on my pasta.
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
December 11, 2015 at 10:19 AMYOU HAD ME AT PESTO.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 11, 2015 at 11:04 AMThai pesto sounds bomb! This is such a fantastic recipe…I’d eat this…everyday! <3
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 5:00 PMchicken pesto just for you! 😉
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
December 11, 2015 at 11:08 AMSo here’s the odd thing – I adore pesto but am not so gaga over noodles – they are hard to swallow – but darn it lady – this recipe might just make them more enjoyable!
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 5:06 PMhave you tried zoodles yet? or maybe this spaghetti squash?
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
December 11, 2015 at 11:51 AMAre you spying on me? Vegas and I were just talking about our love of pesto. I have a feeling this is in our future!
Cotter Crunch says
December 11, 2015 at 1:30 PMi’m always spying on you!
meredith @ Cookie ChRUNicles says
December 11, 2015 at 1:06 PMOhh this looks good. I wasn’t ever a pesto fan until I got older and tried new things to learn I could like it! lol
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 3:52 PMSo funny how that happens!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says
December 11, 2015 at 1:55 PMOh my gosh pesto AND thai flavors?! You had me at pesto but then you go ahead and throw in some thai flavors. Holy moly. Lindsay you never seize to amaze me.
Cotter Crunch says
December 11, 2015 at 3:35 PMwell that’s how I feel about YOU! <3 Mwah! amazing you!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
December 11, 2015 at 1:56 PMWe used to get Thai basil all the time in our CSA basket. I love it!! It is SO GOOD to make pesto with!!!
And these noodle bowls look amazing!
Cotter Crunch says
December 11, 2015 at 3:36 PMoh man, I need your CSA basket! haha
Maggie says
December 11, 2015 at 3:08 PMOh my goodness, this is a masterpiece Lindsay! I love so much about the flavor you created here. The photos are just beautiful. Sharing everywhere!
★★★★★
Cotter Crunch says
December 11, 2015 at 3:37 PMthank you friend. You are my inspiration! always!
Cotter Crunch says
December 13, 2015 at 3:52 PMyou are too good to me! <3
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says
December 11, 2015 at 4:55 PMThis looks delicious, especially that pesto!
Cotter Crunch says
December 12, 2015 at 7:17 AMThanks my fellow pesto lover!
Cara's Healthy Cravings says
December 11, 2015 at 8:09 PMThai pesto, Amazing! I love it when you make recipes “for me!”
I can’t wait to try this pesto. Thanks for sharing.
Cotter Crunch says
December 12, 2015 at 7:17 AMi can’t wait to you try it! i need honest feedback
Cara's Healthy Cravings says
December 12, 2015 at 7:39 AMI’m here for ya girl, stay tuned!
p.s. I have no doubt it will be delish.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
December 12, 2015 at 8:23 AMI’m Team Pesto all the way. In fact, I’ve got a huge stash in my freezer right now. 🙂
Cotter Crunch says
December 12, 2015 at 1:51 PMYEA! I knew i loved you even more!
Jill @ Champagne for everyday says
December 13, 2015 at 9:55 PMI LOVE noodle bowls – healthy and satisfying. I also love pesto, and this recipe is a must-try. Thank you for sharing!
Cotter Crunch says
December 15, 2015 at 8:13 AMyay! noodle bowls are the best, agreed!
Cassie @ Almost getting it together says
December 14, 2015 at 1:28 AMI am looking forward to making this either while I’m home in Pittsburgh or when I get back – it looks like everything I’ve been craving!
Cotter Crunch says
December 15, 2015 at 8:13 AMkeep me posted! let me know what you think of the tahini pesto
Elle says
December 16, 2015 at 1:58 AMI just recently picked up a bag of edamame pasta for the first time. I was actually looking for black bean, but the store ran out so I found a great alternative. I haven’t tried it yet, but I was also very impressed with the amount of protein in the product!