This Healthy Chicken Pesto Recipe is easy to make in 30 minutes and has the most amazing flavor!! Serve it with or without pasta for a tasty weeknight meal.
You will also enjoy our Pesto Shrimp Recipe and easy Basil Pesto Pasta!
Table of Contents
Easy and Healthy Chicken Pesto Recipe
Ok, here’s a perfectly simple dinner that also makes great leftovers. This Healthy Chicken Pesto Recipe is ready in about 30 minutes and is so easy to whip together! You can certainly serve it over pasta, but this low-carb option is good all on its own.
Related: Basil Pesto Pasta, Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
You can even use this recipe to meal prep for the week by cooking a batch and portioning it out in whatever serving size you want.
For the Pesto
You can either make your own or use a jarred variety. Either works great and gives it DELICIOUS flavor!!
What is pesto sauce made out of? Good question. Pesto is a traditional Italian recipe consisting of garlic, pine nuts, coarse salt, basil leaves, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino, all blended with a good quality olive oil.
To make your own, take the following ingredients and blend them in a food processor:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/3 cup pine nuts (can sub chopped walnuts)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano cheese (about 2 ounces)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste
- Pulse the basil and pine nuts first.
- Then, add the parmesan and garlic and pulse.
- Now, drizzle in the olive oil while the food processor is going. Once finished season with salt and pepper.
Step by Step Instructions to Make One-Pan Chicken Pesto
Sheet pan or one-pan meals are the way to go and when they have this much flavor, you can put on your meal plan week after week and never get tired of it!
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 F. Then, place cut chicken, tomatoes, broccoli, and zucchini in a large bowl and toss with pesto.
COOKING TIP: No worries if these aren’t your favorite veggies. Substitute with ones that will cook at a similar rate. We’re thinking mushrooms or cauliflower.
Step 3
Place on a large sheet pan and spread out for even cooking.
Step 3
Now, bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. If desired top with Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Remove from oven and serve or let cool and put in containers for meals throughout the week. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tips for Making Healthy Chicken Pesto
- Make sure you cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces to make sure they cook at the same rate as the veggies.
- Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.
- Because the vegetables have a high water content, they may create a lot of juice. Just drain off if this is the case.
- This recipe is great for meal prepping. Just make a batch and eat it throughout the week.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Pesto
- If you’re looking to add grains, serve your pesto chicken over rice, pasta, or quinoa. Grains add great texture and more fiber.
- A green salad would also be wonderful served with this recipe.
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Healthy Pesto Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3Â chicken breasts (cut in small chunks)
- 1 package Cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 head broccoli (cut into florets)
- 1Â zucchini (cut thickly)
- 1/4 cup tablespoons pesto (store bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 Place chicken, tomatoes, broccoli, and zucchini in a large bowl and toss with pesto. Place on large sheet pan and spread out for even cooking.
- Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes. If desired top with Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Keeps in fridge up to 5 days
Notes
- Make sure you cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces to make sure they cook at the same rate as the veggies.Â
- Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.Â
- This recipe is great for meal prepping. Â Just make a batch and eat it throughout the week.Â
Nutrition
This is one solid and easy recipe to make month after month! Put it on your meal plan for easy cooking!
