Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto! Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken breasts are grilled to smoky perfection, then topped with a vibrant, homemade pesto made from fresh spinach, fragrant basil, toasted pine nuts, nutty Parmesan cheese, and a hint of zesty lemon. This healthy and flavor-packed recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. With its simple preparation, fresh ingredients, and eye-catching presentation, this dish strikes the perfect balance between hearty and wholesome. Serve it alongside a crisp salad, roasted vegetables, or a bed of pasta for a complete meal thatβs as delicious as it is nutritious.
Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet until they have a uniform thickness, about 1/2 inch.
Rub the chicken breasts with kosher salt and black pepper evenly on both sides, then brush them with vegetable oil.
Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking.
Grill the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165Β°F (74Β°C). Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
While the chicken cooks, prepare the spinach and pine nut pesto. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Add the spinach, basil, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth pesto sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve the grilled chicken breasts warm, drizzled generously with the spinach and pine nut pesto. Enjoy!
Calories |
602 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.2 g | 50% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.1 g | 35% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 155 mg | 52% | |
| Sodium | 585 mg | 25% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 3.2 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.5 g | ||
| Protein | 58.5 g | 117% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 124 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 618 mg | 13% | |
*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.