Grilled Pesto Chicken, tender and juicy boneless chicken breasts coated with homemade nut-free basil pesto for the most aromatic meal. It uses just 2-ingredient and it's both low-carb and low-fat. Don't have a grill, no worries, I'm including instructions to bake it in the oven.
Always a crowd-pleasing recipe that's been in my family's recipe rotation for years.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Grilled chicken with pesto is quick, easy, and affordable.
- No grill, no worries, we include baking instructions
Ingredient List
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- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Basil Pesto: While we use my nut-free basil pesto, a store-made basil pesto can be used.
Equipment
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Preheat the grill
- Brush basil pesto on all sides of the chicken breasts.
- Grill chicken breasts for about 5 minuter on each side.
- Let chicken rest for about 4-5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- The poultry will take about 10-12 minutes to cook and the internal temperature should be 165°F.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer for accuracy.
- For easy grilling, be sure the meat is cut around the same thickness so they grill evenly.
Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight covered container for about 4 days.
Freezer: When making ahead of time, the chicken can be kept in an air-tight freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.
- Pesto: Any variety of pesto can be used such as spinach arugula, kale basil pesto, sun-dried tomato, or artichoke pesto.
- Kabobs: Make kabobs with the poultry and you can add your favorite veggies such as tomatoes, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- Baked: We include baking instructions for pesto chicken.
Similar recipes
Check out all our chicken recipes here.
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Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
📖 Recipe
Easy Grilled Pesto Chicken
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 4(6) ounce boneless chicken breasts Note 1
- ½ cup homemade skinny basil pesto Note 2
- non-stick cooking spray if baking the pesto chicken
Instructions
Grilled Pesto Chicken
- Preheat the grill to 425°F/218°C.
- Brush an equal amount of the ½ cup of basil pesto on each 6-ounce boneless chicken breast. Be sure to put pesto on both sides of the chicken chicken.
- Reduce grill heat to medium, about 350°F/177°C. Place pesto-seasoned chicken on the preheated grill. Cook about 5-6 minutes per side. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F/74°C.
- Let chicken rest about 5 minutes to let the juices settle. Slice and serve
Baked Pesto Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Coat a medium-sized casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Brush the ½ cup of basil pesto evenly on each chicken breast. Be sure to put pesto on both sides of the chicken.
- Put the seasoned chicken into the prepared casserole dish.
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken will be 165°/74°C when chicken is cooked through.
- Serve chicken with your favorite sides, enjoy.
