Heart-Healthy Pesto Chicken
Elevate your dinner game with this flavorful and nutritious Heart-Healthy Pesto Chicken recipe, a perfect choice for busy weeknights or elegant gatherings. Featuring lean chicken breasts coated in a vibrant homemade pesto made with fresh basil, heart-friendly walnuts, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and a splash of lemon juice, this dish combines rich flavor with wholesome ingredients. Roasted cherry tomatoes add a burst of natural sweetness and juicy texture, while Parmesan cheese lends a hint of indulgence. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy yet impressive recipe pairs beautifully with whole grain pasta, quinoa, or a crisp green salad for a balanced meal. Packed with antioxidants and healthy fats, it’s a delicious way to support heart health without sacrificing taste!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pieces chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cups walnuts
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.25 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 cups cherry tomatoes
Instructions
Begin by preparing the pesto. In a food processor, combine 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, 0.25 cups of walnuts, 2 peeled large garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until they are finely chopped.
Gradually add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the mixture while the food processor is running, ensuring that it emulsifies and becomes smooth.
Add 0.25 cups of grated Parmesan cheese, 0.5 teaspoons of salt, and 0.25 teaspoons of black pepper to the mixture. Pulse a few more times to incorporate these ingredients.
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Set the pesto aside.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place the 2 chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread half of the pesto mixture evenly over the tops of each chicken breast.
Halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes and arrange them around and on top of the chicken breasts.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
Serve the chicken breasts with the roasted cherry tomatoes and the remaining pesto drizzled on top or on the side for added flavor.
Optionally, garnish with additional fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1150 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 66.6 g | 85% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.3 g | 66% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 306 mg | 102% | |
| Sodium | 1786 mg | 78% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17.6 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.7 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.4 g | ||
| Protein | 122.9 g | 246% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 375 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 5.4 mg | 30% | |
| Potassium | 699 mg | 15% | |
*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.
