Whole30 Pesto Chicken Melt

Say goodbye to bland weeknight dinners with this Whole30 Pesto Chicken Melt—a vibrant, health-conscious recipe packed with bold, fresh flavors! Juicy, oven-baked chicken breasts are smothered in a homemade basil pesto made with zestful lemon juice, garlic, and savory nutritional yeast, keeping it both dairy-free and compliant with Whole30 guidelines. Finished in the oven for a warm, aromatic melt, it’s paired with crisp cherry tomatoes and nutrient-rich spinach for a balanced, colorful plate. With only 20 minutes of prep time, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for those looking to enjoy a wholesome, satisfying meal without compromising on flavor. Ideal for clean eating enthusiasts and pesto lovers alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cups raw pine nuts
• 2 pieces garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.25 cups nutritional yeast
• 0.5 cups olive oil (for pesto)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup spinach leaves

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.

Step 3

On a baking sheet, drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Step 4

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 5

While the chicken is baking, prepare the pesto: In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast.

Step 6

Pulse a few times to combine, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the processor is running until a thick pesto forms. Set aside.

Step 7

In the last 5 minutes of baking the chicken, remove the baking sheet, and spread about 2 tablespoons of pesto on top of each chicken breast.

Step 8

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the pesto is heated through.

Step 9

Meanwhile, slice cherry tomatoes in half and rinse the spinach leaves.

Step 10

Once the chicken is done, remove from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes.

Step 11

Serve the chicken melts with a side of cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1136.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2772.2

Total Fat 196.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 591.6mg	0%
Sodium 2918.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 19.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.4g	0%
Total Sugars 6.0g
Protein 227.1g	0%

Vitamin D 7.0IU	0%
Calcium 196.2mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 2791.5mg	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: 64.2%

Protein: 33.0%

Carbs: 2.8%