Grilled Pesto Chicken Recipe (Easy, Healthy, And Flavorful)

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This Grilled Pesto Chicken Recipe combines delicious grilled chicken breasts with a basil pesto sauce that takes only minutes and packs tons of flavor. Save time by using pesto ingredients from the store or perfect your homemade pesto recipe. Either way this dish will be the best weeknight option you have had all year long.

A plate of Grilled Chicken Pesto and a side salad and tomatoes

Quick Look: Grilled Pesto Chicken

⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 20 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 30 minutes
🍗 Serving: 3-4 chicken breasts
⚡ Calories: 302 calories per chicken breast
🍂 Flavor Profile: notes of garlic and parmesan with a nutty finish
👌 Difficulty: Easy, perfect for any beginner or advanced chef

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Pesto grilled chicken is another Italian recipe that has been in my family for generations. We all love a classic tomato sauce, but sometimes you need to mix it up. This is where our chicken pesto and Pasta with Pesto and Tuna saved the day. Using pesto is so easy and it cooks nearly perfect each time, so all different skill level chefs can make this dish.

If you are enjoying the pesto theme, don't forget about my Chicken Pesto with Rice. They pair nicely with my Green Beans with Bacon and Onions and my Crunch Kale Salad.

And don't you dare think about skipping dessert! I love whipping up a batch of my Italian Rainbow Cookies and some Nutella Cake when sharing this recipe with the extended family.

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Quick Look: Grilled Pesto Chicken
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Flavor Variations
How to Make Pesto Chicken Breasts
Expert Tips
Grilled Pesto Chicken Recipe FAQ's
4 Irresistible Desserts
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy To Make: This dish is full of flavor, but it's not a labor-intensive recipe. It only takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish.
Simple Ingredients: A few common ingredients plus chicken as your protein source are very simple ingredients for this chicken with pesto.
Different Cooking Options: You can grill, saute or even bake this marinated pesto chicken in the oven. Each one gives the dish a different feel!
Perfect for Everyone: With its classic flavor and no gluten or dairy, this recipe for pesto chiken can enjoyed by everyone.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I am a bit of an amateur in the kitchen but this recipe was so easy for me to make! It helped me feel confident to try a harder dish and it is such a yummy piece of chicken. Glad I stumbled upon this one!"
- Remi

Ingredients

Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.

Chicken: 2 large Springer Mountain Farms chicken breasts or any other chicken breast. I prefer Springer Mountain because they are antibiotic and hormone-free. They are also certified humane and do not use any animal by-products in their feed.
Pesto: I saved time by using store-bought pesto. These have nice garlic flavor.
Spices: Keep it simple for this on, let the pesto do the work. Garlic powder, salt, and black pepper are also a favorite touch. Fresh garlic is also a simple option.

Flavor Variations

Try it with Thighs: This recipe is also perfect for chicken thighs. The dark meat is tender and works great for this grilled chicken pesto.
Add Veggies: Zucchini is the perfect addition to this dish. The cooked texture pairs perfectly with crispy skinless chicken breasts.
Homemade Pesto: Nothing beats a homemade basil pesto sauce. If you have the time, and a food processor, it will definitely impress the best of them.
Get Creamy: Chicken recipes are always better with cheese. Parmesan cheese is a perfect addition for this chicken in pesto sauce. A greek yogurt sauce is also a simple way to enhance the dish.

How to Make Pesto Chicken Breasts

A bowl of raw chicken marinated with pesto sauce.

Step 1. Begin by placing the chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap on a cutting board and pound them down using a meat mallet. Then place the chicken into a medium size bowl. Coat the chicken with the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Then add half of the jar of pesto and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Makes everything until evenly coated.

Chicken breasts cooking in pesto sauce in a skillet.

Step 2. To Saute: In a large pan, add the olive oil on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken breast into the pan. Allow the chicken to cook for five minutes per side. Once they’ve cooked for five minutes per side, flip them over again and place the lid onto the pan. Continue flipping every five minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°.To Grill: Heat the grill to 425°F. Place the pesto chicken on the grill. Allow the chicken to cook for five minutes per side. Once that time is up, flip them over again. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F when cooked properly. The timing on this could vary, depending on the size of your chicken breast.

Step 3. Place the chicken breast onto a clean plate and add the remaining pesto on top of each one. Slice and serve with fresh parsley on top. I like to serve mine with a fresh salad and grilled tomatoes, however, this goes great with a lemon butter pasta as well.

Expert Tips

Use Lemon Juice: Using lemon juice will help the pesto keep its famous deep green color. The fresh citrus also helps create depth of flavors!
Prep it Ahead of Time: Mix the chicken and the pesto in an air-tight container or baggie up to 8 hours ahead of cooking it. Keep refrigerated and bring to room temp before cooking.
Use a Meat Thermometer: I love using my ThermoPro Meat Thermometer to make sure my chicken is cooked to perfection ever time! Trust me, this is a MUST have gadget.
Creative Leftovers: I love using leftovers to make a sandwich or to turn pasta into another full meal. This one is always great for helping finish other food left behind in our fridge.

Grilled Pesto Chicken Recipe FAQ's

How do I stop my pesto from turning brown?

Try adding a little bit of lemon juice to your pest to help get its green color back. Concentrate works but fresh juice always works better.

How Do I Grill Pesto Chicken?

Heat the grill to 425°F. Place the pesto-seasoned chicken on the preheated grill. Allow the chicken to cook for five minutes per side. Once they’ve cooked for five minutes per side, flip them over again. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F when done. Timing will vary, depending on the size of your chicken breast.

Is this Recipe Gluten Free?

Yes! Pesto sauce is naturally gluten free so this recipe is safe if you have a gluten allergy. HOWEVER, always double check your store bought ingredients to make sure there is nothing added into your pesto.