Nut-Free Chicken Pesto
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this Nut-Free Chicken Pesto, a vibrant and allergy-friendly twist on a classic favorite. Juicy, golden-brown chicken breasts are crowned with a velvety homemade pesto featuring fresh basil, zesty lemon juice, and a surprising nut-free secret: crunchy pumpkin seeds. This quick-and-easy recipe is bursting with fresh, herbaceous flavor and ready in just 40 minutes, making it a perfect option for busy families or last-minute guests. Serve this dish with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a wholesome and satisfying meal that’s gluten-free, nut-free, and full of Mediterranean-inspired goodness. Perfect for anyone seeking a healthy, flavorful, and allergy-conscious recipe that doesn’t compromise on taste!
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Ingredients
- 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Pumpkin seeds
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil for cooking
Directions
Step 1
Begin by prepping the chicken breasts. Pat them dry with paper towels and season both sides with a little salt and pepper.
Step 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 3
Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest on a plate.
Step 4
While the chicken is cooking, make the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pumpkin seeds, Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper.
Step 5
Pulse the ingredients in the processor a few times until they are finely chopped.
Step 6
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the 0.5 cup of extra-virgin olive oil, and continue blending until the pesto is smooth and well combined.
Step 7
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your liking.
Step 8
Slice the cooked chicken breasts and transfer them onto a serving plate.
Step 9
Generously spoon the nut-free pesto over the chicken.
Step 10
Serve the nut-free chicken pesto hot, with your choice of sides such as roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (995.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2841.3 |
| Total Fat 201.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 38.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 7.2g | |
| Cholesterol 631.6mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2386.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 13.0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 1.2g | |
| Protein 244.7g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 7.0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 610.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 10.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2279.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories