If you’ve been wondering what to serve with pesto chicken, read on! In this article, you’ll learn what pesto chicken is, how to make it, and what to serve it with. Then you’ll be able to create a meal everyone will love.
What is pesto chicken?
Pesto is a common ingredient used in pasta dishes, but it also has a versatile use. You can use pesto in place of herbs or spices in the marinade. This dish works well with pasta, but it can also be served over salad, air-fried vegetables, and spaghetti squash. Fresh basil and garlic are great additions to this dish.
This simple chicken recipe requires only four ingredients and is a great weeknight meal. It’s also a great dinner for special occasions, as it’s low in calories and carbohydrates. It can be prepared ahead of time, then simply popped into the oven when ready. This way, you don’t have to stand over the stove, and you can enjoy it while it cooks!
This delicious meal comes together in less than 30 minutes. If you’re in a rush, this creamy pesto chicken recipe is the perfect solution. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just make sure to pound them to an even thickness and cut them in half. You can also use chicken thighs but be prepared to invest more time in cooking them. To make your chicken extra tender, you can dredge it in flour. This will give it a crispy surface and thicken the sauce. If you’re not a fan of flour, you can substitute almond flour or another flour alternative.
Once you’ve prepared your chicken, you can begin assembling the dish. This recipe can be made using store-bought pesto or homemade. Homemade pesto is easier to make, but you can also use Jarred pesto if you prefer. Alternatively, you can use grated mozzarella instead of parmesan cheese. Lastly, you can substitute red and yellow bell peppers with other colors or add other vegetables.
What to Serve With Pesto Chicken?
Pesto chicken is the perfect dish to add some Italian flair to a dinner party or a weeknight dinner. This dish is simple to prepare and is sure to impress your guests. You can prepare it ahead of time and just reheat before serving. It’s delicious served over a bed of rice or rotini noodles. You can also serve it with roasted vegetables. To make this dish, you’ll need a pan of potatoes and onions. To cook the potatoes, combine them with a little oil, seasoning, and cheese and sautee them until they’re golden brown. To make this dish even more delicious, you can also add a little sour cream.
You can also make pesto chicken pasta into a casserole. Simply pour the chicken mixture over the noodles and cover them with your favorite cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven until the cheese melts. You can use shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan, or fresh mozzarella. You can also serve this dish with rice or spaghetti.
Vegetables
Pesto chicken pairs well with a variety of vegetables. Its flavorful, aromatic pesto sauce is packed with garlic, basil, and additional seasonings. Green beans and tomatoes are excellent accompaniments to this dish because they soak up the drippings from the chicken. You can even prepare this dish ahead of time and then bake it when you need it.
Italian salad
Pesto chicken goes well with rice pilaf or an Italian salad. Alternatively, you can serve it with aglio e olio pasta or sauteed spinach. As a side dish, zucchini fritters and roasted asparagus are also excellent options. You can also serve garlic crack bread with your pesto chicken meal.
Sweet potato fries
Another side dish to serve with pesto chicken is baked sweet potato fries. These are a healthier alternative to French fries and complement the chicken’s rich flavor. Besides, they are also quick and easy to prepare. In addition, baked sweet potatoes add a fresh, crunchy flavor to the dish. Even picky eaters will appreciate this delicious side dish. It will certainly impress your guests. And if you don’t serve these, you can always try eggplant parmesan instead.
Cauliflower rice.
For a more filling side dish, you can also try cauliflower rice. This versatile vegetable is low in calories and carbs and tastes like real rice. It can be prepared by using a food processor or blender. Alternatively, you can buy cauliflower rice already made in stores. If you’re worried about the calories and carbs in pesto chicken, cauliflower rice is a perfect side dish for your guests.
Rice or pasta
Pesto chicken goes well with rice or pasta. It can be served hot or cold. It also pairs well with vegetables. It’s easy to make and doesn’t leave any leftovers. It can be paired with hundreds of sides. It’s also a great appetizer. To add variety to your meal, serve it with salsa or guacamole.
How to Make pesto chicken?
If you’re looking for a quick weeknight recipe, this Pesto Chicken Bakes is the way to go. It’s loaded with flavor and easy to prepare using nine staple ingredients. Make it ahead of time, and bake it whenever you’re ready to serve. You can also freeze it for up to three months. Once frozen, remove it from the freezer and re-thaw it in the oven at 350 degrees or heat it in the microwave. You can serve it over pasta or with vegetables, such as zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles.
To create the pesto sauce, you’ll need a few basic ingredients, such as basil and garlic. You’ll also need chicken broth or white wine to make the sauce extra flavorful. The pesto flavor is key, and it contains the signature flavors of basil and pine nuts. You can experiment with other seasonings if you want. You can also use Italian seasoning, which is found in the spice aisle of your grocery store.
You can also use cherry tomatoes in the recipe. These add texture and color to the chicken. A few cherry tomatoes also add a bit of juiciness to the chicken. To make the pesto chicken even easier to make, use ingredients you have in your kitchen.
What is Replacement for pesto chicken?
There are many healthy substitutions for pesto, and you don’t have to give up the taste. Fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, olive oil, and parmesan cheese are all great options. Basil is especially nutritious, as it’s packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and natural antibacterial properties. It has also been shown to reduce stress.
While store-bought pesto is typically runny, adding extra oil to your dish will thicken the sauce. Also, use fresh sliced mozzarella instead of shredded cheese. Likewise, skip the tomatoes if you’d like to keep the recipe lower in carbohydrates.
Pesto chicken can be served with pasta or on top of a simple salad. Its versatility makes it ideal for quick, easy dinners. To make your own, all you need is some finely chopped basil, and garlic, as well as about a half-cup of extra virgin olive oil. Then, you can pound it together using a mortar and pestle.
Pesto chicken can be made a day or two ahead, if you want. It is best to cook it at 400 degrees F for about 22 to 26 minutes, and can be served with a simple kale salad. If you don’t want to cook it right away, you can also store it in an airtight container and reheat it in the microwave for up to 3 days.
If you don’t want to spend the time preparing the chicken, you can easily make pesto chicken without oil. This recipe uses 4 ingredients and only takes five minutes to prepare. Make sure that you use thin chicken breasts, as thick chicken breasts take longer to cook.