Low Sodium Pesto Chicken

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this flavorful Low Sodium Pesto Chicken, a heart-healthy spin on the classic Italian favorite. Juicy, tender chicken breasts are coated in a vibrant, homemade basil pesto that skips the salt but packs a punch of fresh flavor with fragrant basil, nutty pine nuts, zesty lemon, and garlic. This easy baked dish comes together in just 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. A broil finish gives the pesto a golden, aromatic touch that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or a crisp garden salad. Delight your taste buds with this lower-salt option that's big on bold, fresh flavors—your go-to healthy chicken recipe for a deliciously guilt-free meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cups pine nuts
• 3 large garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 0.25 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Pulse until the basil and nuts are finely chopped.

Step 4

While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil through the feed tube. Continue to process until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.

Step 5

Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the processor and pulse a few times until the cheese is well incorporated into the pesto. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Step 6

Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of the prepared pesto sauce over each chicken breast, ensuring they are evenly coated.

Step 7

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.

Step 8

Once done, remove the foil and broil for an additional 3-5 minutes to give the pesto a nice finish, being careful not to burn it.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Step 10

Serve the pesto chicken with your choice of sides, such as roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(950.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2555.4

Total Fat 173.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 611.6mg	0%
Sodium 861.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 14.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.6g	0%
Total Sugars 2.0g
Protein 231.1g	0%

Vitamin D 7.0IU	0%
Calcium 391.0mg	0%
Iron 10.0mg	0%
Potassium 2230.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.4%

Protein: 36.3%

Carbs: 2.3%