Grilled Chicken with Basil Dressing
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Grilled Chicken with Basil Dressing, a flavorful and healthy dish that’s as simple as it is delicious. Juicy, marinated chicken breasts are infused with the zesty brightness of olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic before being perfectly grilled to achieve a smoky char. The star of the show is the vibrant homemade basil dressing—featuring fresh basil leaves, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and extra virgin olive oil—which adds a creamy, herbaceous finish that’s perfect for drizzling over the tender chicken. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy grilled chicken recipe is ideal for busy evenings or casual gatherings. Pair it with roasted vegetables, a crisp green salad, or fluffy rice for a balanced, satisfying meal. Perfect for summer BBQs or anytime you crave bold, fresh flavors, this dish is sure to become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 0.25 cups extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.
Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they're evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the basil dressing.
To make the basil dressing, combine basil leaves, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and water in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adjusting the consistency with an extra tablespoon of water if needed. Set aside.
Once the grill is hot, place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Remove the grilled chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices.
Serve the grilled chicken on a plate and drizzle generously with the basil dressing. Optionally, garnish with extra basil leaves or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Pair with your favorite side dish like roasted vegetables, a green salad, or rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2213 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 140.7 g | 180% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.2 g | 131% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 592 mg | 197% | |
| Sodium | 3212 mg | 140% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7.7 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g | ||
| Protein | 225.2 g | 450% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 331 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 7.1 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 235 mg | 5% | |
*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.
