2 Ingredient Pesto Chicken
User Reviews
5
2 Ingredient Pesto Chicken
Description
In the 2 Ingredient Pesto Chicken recipe, chicken breasts are generously covered with basil pesto, seasoning them lightly with salt and pepper if desired. The chicken can then be grilled over medium-high heat to achieve a flavorful sear, or baked in the oven for a tender finish. Using either method, the pesto coats the chicken, imparting a rich herbal flavor primarily from the basil. If using, cherry tomatoes are cooked alongside to bring a juicy, slightly charred sweetness that complements the savory pesto chicken.
The texture is juicy and tender inside with a slightly caramelized exterior from the pesto and cooking process. Serving the chicken with a spoonful of extra pesto keeps the flavors fresh and vibrant. The recipe's simplicity makes it practical for those wanting flavorful chicken without fuss and minimal ingredients.
To enhance flavor, preheat your grill well before cooking to get a good sear. Homemade basil pesto is recommended for best taste, although store-bought pesto works adequately. The cherry tomatoes provide an optional side that balances the richness of the pesto-coated chicken.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast skinless, boneless, fillets
- ½ cup basil pesto plus ¼ cup extra for serving. Use this recipe for homemade pesto or you can use store bought.
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional - adjust to your tastes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 500 g cherry tomato optional as a serving idea
Instructions
- Smother chicken fillets in the pesto on all sides (about 2 tablespoons of pesto for each chicken breast, depending on your taste). Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Grill:
- Preheat a barbecue plate, grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-6 minutes each side or until completely cooked through. Transfer to a warm plate. Grill the tomatoes, rotating once, until soft and beginning to brown.
- Top chicken with extra pesto. Serve with the tomatoes.
Oven Baked:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F | 180°C. Line a baking dish with aluminium foil or bang | parchment paper.
- Arrange the coated chicken breasts in the baking dish and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- At 30 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven and arrange the tomatoes around each fillet.
- Place the chicken back in the oven and cook a further 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
Notes
- Preheat grill thoroughly to ensure a good sear on the chicken and avoid sticking.
- Homemade basil pesto is suggested for optimal flavor, but store-bought pesto can be used as a convenient alternative.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper according to your taste preference before cooking.
- Grilled or oven-baked tomatoes make an optional, fresh serving accompaniment.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 272 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 272kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 75mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 580mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 692mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1.271IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 30mg | 33% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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