Nut-Free Chicken Pesto

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this Nut-Free Chicken Pesto, a vibrant and allergy-friendly twist on a classic favorite. Juicy, golden-brown chicken breasts are crowned with a velvety homemade pesto featuring fresh basil, zesty lemon juice, and a surprising nut-free secret: crunchy pumpkin seeds. This quick-and-easy recipe is bursting with fresh, herbaceous flavor and ready in just 40 minutes, making it a perfect option for busy families or last-minute guests. Serve this dish with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a wholesome and satisfying meal that’s gluten-free, nut-free, and full of Mediterranean-inspired goodness. Perfect for anyone seeking a healthy, flavorful, and allergy-conscious recipe that doesn’t compromise on taste!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cup Pumpkin seeds
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil for cooking

Directions

Step 1

Begin by prepping the chicken breasts. Pat them dry with paper towels and season both sides with a little salt and pepper.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest on a plate.

Step 4

While the chicken is cooking, make the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pumpkin seeds, Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper.

Step 5

Pulse the ingredients in the processor a few times until they are finely chopped.

Step 6

With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the 0.5 cup of extra-virgin olive oil, and continue blending until the pesto is smooth and well combined.

Step 7

Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your liking.

Step 8

Slice the cooked chicken breasts and transfer them onto a serving plate.

Step 9

Generously spoon the nut-free pesto over the chicken.

Step 10

Serve the nut-free chicken pesto hot, with your choice of sides such as roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	995.6 grams (995.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2841

Total Fat 201.10g	258%
Saturated Fat 38.30g	191%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.20g
Cholesterol 632mg	211%
Sodium 2387mg	104%
Total Carbohydrate 13.00g	5%
Dietary Fiber 4.30g	15%
Total Sugars 1.20g
Protein 244.70g	489%

Vitamin D 7IU	35%
Calcium 611mg	47%
Iron 11mg	60%
Potassium 2280mg	49%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.7%

Protein: 34.5%

Carbs: 1.8%