Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic-Basil Pesto
Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic-Basil Pesto brings juicy, smoky chicken together with a vibrant, garlicky basil sauce used as marinade, glaze, and dip. The lemon and Parmesan add brightness and depth, while walnuts give a subtle nuttiness. Serve it for a summer dinner or backyard cookout when you want fresh, herb-forward flavors.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook10 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic-Basil Pesto, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 57 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 4 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 52 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 33
- Heart Health
- 72
- Metabolic
- 17
- Digestive
- 22
- Inflammatory
- 49
- Performance
- 34
- General Wellness
- 1
Gather all the ingredients.
- 2
In a food processor, combine the basil, walnuts, garlic, ice cube, 1/2 teaspoon salt, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Process until very finely chopped, about 30 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. With the processor running, slowly stream in the oil until it emulsifies, about 15 seconds. Add the Parmesan cheese and pulse until well combined, 3 to 4 pulses.
- 3
Transfer 1/2 cup of the pesto to a large resealable plastic bag; add the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup pesto into two small bowls, 1/4 cup each; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- 4
Season the chicken evenly with pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken to the bag with the pesto; seal and gently massage to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- 5
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat (400 to 450 degrees F (200 to 225 degrees C)). Oil the grates, place the chicken on the grates, and discard any excess marinade. Grill, uncovered, until grill marks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip the chicken; grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the chicken registers 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 3 to 5 minutes.
- 6
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Brush the top of the chicken evenly with 1/4 cup reserved pesto. Loosely cover with foil and let stand for 5 minutes.
- 7
Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Serve the remaining 1/4 cup pesto on the side and garnish with basil. This recipe was developed by Nicole Hopper.
- Calories 623.32 kcal High 31%
- Protein 56.84 g Good Source 114%
- Carbohydrate 4.0 g 1%
- Total Fat 43.62 g High 56%
- Saturated Fat 6.3 g High 32%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 146.06 mg High 49%
- Sodium 222.81 mg Moderate 10%
- Dietary Fiber 1.23 g Low Source 4%
- Total Sugars 1.35 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 121.18 mg Low Source 9%
- Iron 2.52 mg Moderate 14%
- Potassium 129.02 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin A 64.53 mcg Low Source 7%
- Vitamin C 4.88 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Tree Nuts 🌰
- Milk 🥛
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic Basil Pesto is made with 12 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 25 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Chicken Breast, Dried Lemon Peel, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Each serving provides about 623.32 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic-Basil Pesto made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Chicken Breast, Dried Lemon Peel, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Fresh Basil. The full list of 12 is above.
- How long does it take to make Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic-Basil Pesto?
- About 25 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 10 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 623.32 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic-Basil Pesto easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 12 ingredients and 7 steps.
- Is Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic-Basil Pesto healthy?
- Grilled Chicken with Bold Garlic-Basil Pesto has an easyChef Pro health score of 42/100. Per serving, it provides 623.32 calories and 56.84 g of protein, or 114% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 222.81 mg (10% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 6.3 g (32% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Tree Nuts, Milk and Garlic, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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