Nut-Free Pesto Chicken

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this flavor-packed Nut-Free Pesto Chicken recipe! Perfect for anyone with nut allergies, this dish features a vibrant homemade pesto made with fresh basil, zesty lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and garlic—no pine nuts required. Juicy chicken breasts are stuffed with this nut-free pesto, topped with melty mozzarella, and baked alongside sweet, blistered cherry tomatoes for a delightful burst of flavor in every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy and satisfying meal is perfect for busy families looking for a healthy, nut-free twist on classic pesto chicken. Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad for a complete, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Chicken breasts
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.5 cup Olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, sliced

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

In a food processor, combine basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Pulse the ingredients while gradually streaming in the olive oil until smooth to create the nut-free pesto.

Step 4

Slice a pocket into each chicken breast piece without cutting all the way through.

Step 5

Stuff each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of the nut-free pesto.

Step 6

Secure the pocket with toothpicks if needed to keep the pesto inside.

Step 7

Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish.

Step 8

Surround the chicken in the baking dish with cherry tomatoes.

Step 9

Spoon any leftover pesto over the top of the chicken breasts.

Step 10

Cover the top with sliced mozzarella cheese.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Remove from the oven, let rest for a few minutes, then serve hot with the roasted cherry tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1310.9 grams (1310.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3092

Total Fat 200.70g	257%
Saturated Fat 66.40g	332%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.60g
Cholesterol 800mg	267%
Sodium 3886mg	169%
Total Carbohydrate 21.10g	8%
Dietary Fiber 3.60g	13%
Total Sugars 13.20g
Protein 284.20g	568%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1816mg	140%
Iron 9mg	52%
Potassium 727mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.7%

Protein: 37.5%

Carbs: 2.8%