Best Grilled Pesto Chicken Recipes

GRILLED PESTO-MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix together pesto, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pepper, and salt in a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Cook chicken on the preheated grill over indirect heat until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
• Halve the chicken breasts crosswise and pound each piece between two sheets of plastic wrap to an even thickness of about 3/4 inch. Toss the chicken pieces with the crushed red pepper, fennel seed, 1 tablespoon of the oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Brush the insides of the rolls with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
• Grill the chicken, turning once, until just cooked through, 8 to 9 minutes per side. During the last few minutes of cooking time, top each piece of chicken with a slice of mozzarella. Grill the rolls, oiled side down, until warmed and lightly charred, about 1 minute.
• Spread some pesto on the bottom halves of the rolls. Top with a slice of tomato, a piece of chicken, the remaining pesto and the top halves of the rolls.
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GARLIC-GRILLED CHICKEN WITH PESTO ZUCCHINI RIBBONS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the first five ingredients. Add chicken; turn to coat. Let stand 15 minutes., Meanwhile, for noodles, trim ends of zucchini. Using a cheese slicer or vegetable peeler, cut zucchini lengthwise into long thin slices. Cut zucchini on all sides, as if peeling a carrot, until the seeds become visible. Discard seeded portion or save for another use., Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 4-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°. Remove from grill; keep warm., In a large nonstick skillet, heat tomatoes and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, salt, pepper flakes and pepper; cook and stir 30 seconds. Add zucchini; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove from heat. Stir in pesto., Cut chicken into slices. Serve with zucchini noodles. Top with mozzarella.

LEMON-GARLIC-HERB CHICKEN WITH GRILLED PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS AND PESTO 3 BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high.
• Fill a small skillet with about 1-inch water and bring to a boil.
• Grate the garlic onto acutting board and add a couple teaspoons salt, mash into paste with the flat of your knife.
• Add salt to boiling water and cook green beans 1 minute then drain and cool under cold running water then reserve.
• Reserve 1/5 of the pasted garlic, about 1 clove and add the rest to a shallow dish. To the garlic, add the lemon zest, fennel seed, chopped thyme, rosemary, parsley and about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil and some black pepper. Stir with a fork to combine then add chicken pieces and coat evenly. Grill chicken 12 to 15 minutes until juices run clear.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil.
• Trim asparagus of tough ends. Add salt and the asparagus to the water and blanch for 2 minutes. Remove from the water and place into an ice water bath to cool. Once cooled, pat dry with paper towels, drizzle with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Divide the asparagus into 4 piles and roll 2 layered slices of prosciutto around each pile to form bundles. Grill 7 to 8 minutes until prosciutto is crisp and spears are tender.
• Place basil and mint leaves in a food processor with the nuts. Add some salt and pepper and turn processor on. Stream in about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil to form a thick pasty sauce. Transfer the sauce to a bowl. Stir in the reserved garlic paste and the grated cheese. Add the cooled green beans and the canned beans to the bowl and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning.
• Remove chicken from the grill and squeeze the juice of 1 of the zested lemons down over the meat while still hot.
• Serve 1 piece each chicken breast and thigh with an asparagus bundle and some bean salad alongside.

3-INGREDIENT PESTO-GRILLED CHICKEN WITH PEACHES

Steps:

• Whisk 1 1/2 cups pesto, 1/2 cup oil, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Add chicken to bowl and slide your hand between skin and meat to loosen skin. Rub half of pesto mixture under skin, then half over outside. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat or heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high; oil grate or pan. Season chicken with remaining 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Grill chicken, skin side down, covered, until golden brown and lightly charred, 7-9 minutes. Turn and grill until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Brush peach halves with oil. Reduce heat to medium and grill peaches, cut side down, until warmed through, 2-3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk remaining 1/4 cup pesto and 2 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl. Arrange chicken and peaches on a platter and drizzle pesto sauce over. Serve remaining sauce alongside.

GRILLED CHICKEN PESTO PANINI

Steps:

• Pound the chicken fillets until thin between two pieces of waxed paper, then marinate in oil, garlic, pepper and Italian seasoning for about 1-1/2 hours.
• Heat a grill pan or sauté pan (the breasts can also be grilled on the BBQ).
• Season the breasts with salt and pepper.
• Cook the chicken on medium heat for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through.
• Remove from pan and place on a plate or board.
• Top each fillet with some of the roasted peppers and a slice of cheese.
• Spread BOTH sides of the bread with pesto sauce.
• Place chicken inside the bread and form to a sandwich.
• Brush both sides of the outside of bread with olive oil.
• Heat a grill pan or a 10-inch skillet on medium high heat. Place the panini in the pan (only 2 at a time).
• Weigh the panini down with another heavy skillet and then top with a heavy can (a very large can of tomato juice works great for this!) cook for about 3 minutes, or until bread is toasted.
• Turn the panini, and weigh it down again with a heavy skillet and a can on top, and toast for another 3 minutes.
• Remove from pan and cut in half.

LEMON-GARLIC-HERB CHICKEN WITH GRILLED PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS AND PESTO 3 BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Fill a small skillet with about 1-inch water and bring to a boil. Grate the garlic onto acutting board and add a couple teaspoons salt, mash into paste with the flat of your knife. Add salt to boiling water and cook green beans 1 minute then drain and cool under cold running water then reserve. Reserve 1/5 of the pasted garlic, about 1 clove and add the rest to a shallow dish. To the garlic, add the lemon zest, fennel seed, chopped thyme, rosemary, parsley and about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil and some black pepper. Stir with a fork to combine then add chicken pieces and coat evenly. Grill chicken 12 to 15 minutes until juices run clear. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Trim asparagus of tough ends. Add salt and the asparagus to the water and blanch for 2 minutes. Remove from the water and place into an ice water bath to cool. Once cooled, pat dry with paper towels, drizzle with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Divide the asparagus into 4 piles and roll 2 layered slices of prosciutto around each pile to form bundles. Grill 7 to 8 minutes until prosciutto is crisp and spears are tender. Place basil and mint leaves in a food processor with the nuts. Add some salt and pepper and turn processor on. Stream in about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil to form a thick pasty sauce. Transfer the sauce to a bowl. Stir in the reserved garlic paste and the grated cheese. Add the cooled green beans and the canned beans to the bowl and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning. Remove chicken from the grill and squeeze the juice of 1 of the zested lemons down over the meat while still hot. Serve 1 piece each chicken breast and thigh with an asparagus bundle and some bean salad alongside.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH SPINACH AND PINE NUT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
• Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put half of the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use.
• Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Spread the pesto over each piece of chicken and serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN PESTO SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons pepper; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour. , For pesto, place the basil, Parmesan cheese and garlic in a small food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add the pine nuts and remaining lemon juice, salt and pepper; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add remaining oil in a steady stream. Set aside., Drain and discard marinade. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink. Grill buns, covered, for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. , Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise over cut side of bun bottoms. Layer with chicken, provolone cheese and roasted red peppers. Spread pesto over cut side of bun tops; place over sandwiches.

GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN KABOBS

Steps:

• Whisk oil, sherry, pesto, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a glass bowl. Add chicken pieces and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Thread marinated chicken, mushrooms, zucchini, red onion, and tomatoes alternately onto skewers. Reserve remaining marinade.
• Place kabobs onto the preheated grill, and cook, turning occasionally and brushing with the reserved marinade, until chicken is cooked and juices run clear, 10 to 15 minutes.

GRILLED CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PESTO PANINI

Steps:

• For the pesto: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast, tossing once, until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer the cooked broccoli to an ice bath and let cool, about 3 minutes. Remove from the ice bath and drain well. Transfer the broccoli to a food processor. Add the garlic, walnuts, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt and process until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually pour in the olive oil. Transfer the pesto to a small bowl and stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Cover and set aside.
• For the sandwich: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Grill the bread until toasted and golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Season the chicken cutlets with the pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt and drizzle with the olive oil. Place the cutlets on the grill pan and cook until golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Squeeze the lemon juice over the cooked chicken while it is still on the grill pan. Remove the chicken to a plate.
• To assemble the sandwiches, spread about 1 tablespoon of the pesto on each slice of bread. Place 2 pieces of tomato on 4 of the slices. Top the tomatoes with the chicken cutlets and the remaining slices of bread. Cut each sandwich in half to serve.
• Cook's Note: The pesto makes more than enough for the sandwiches. It can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

PESTO-ALFREDO CHEESE TORTELLINI W/ GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Grill chicken breasts til done, julienne, cover and set aside.
• In saute pan, melt butter with olive oil and cook garlic, mushrooms and bell pepper til tender.
• Meanwhile, cook tortellini til done, drain.
• Stir in alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, chicken, tortellini, artichoke hearts, chopped tomato and black olives into mushroom mixture gently til mixed.
• Heat over low heat til heated through.
• Pour onto serving platter.
• Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese.
• Garnish top with fresh chopped basil or parsley.
• *If you prefer it extra saucy, double the alfredo and pesto sauce amounts.

GRILLED CHICKEN RIGATONI WITH PESTO ALFREDO SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook the rigatoni according to package directions. Drain, place back in the pot, and stir in the olive oil (to avoid sticking).
• Grill the chicken breasts on an indoor grill, 6 minutes per side or until juices run clear. Cut into strips.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Slowly whisk in the flour until smooth and pasty.
• Add milk gradually, whisking well after each small addition, then until no clumps can be seen.
• Add the sundried tomatoes.
• Heat over medium, whisking constantly, until heated and thick (sauce will thicken the more you cook it).
• Add the pesto sauce and mix well.
• Sprinkle the parmesan in, and whisk.
• Add the crushed garlic,chopped tomato, white (or black) pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Remove from heat, and add salt to taste.
• Pour over rigatoni, mix and serve!

GRILLED PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat the grill.
• Loosen skin from thighs to form a pocket; stuff with pesto.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Grill the chicken, turning once, until cooked through, about 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mash garlic with 1/8 teaspoon salt to form a paste; stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil and brush on bread slices.
• Toast bread on grill.
• Serve chicken on bread, garlic side up.

GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place chicken in shallow glass or plastic dish. Brush 2 tablespoons of the pesto over tops of chicken; turn chicken. Brush with 2 tablespoons of the pesto; sprinkle with salt. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Grill chicken uncovered 4 to 6 inches from medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until juice is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Add bell pepper for last 10 minutes of grilling until bell pepper is crisp-tender. Add bread for last 3 minutes of grilling, turning once until toasted.
• Cut bell pepper into strips. Spread remaining 1/2 cup pesto on one side of bread slices. Place chicken on 4 bread slices; top with bell pepper, basil and remaining bread.

GRILLED CHICKEN & ASPARAGUS PASTA WITH PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• For Pesto: Place all ingredients into a food processor and combine thoroughly.
• Set aside.
• (Pesto may be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature and stir before using).
• Grill chicken breasts on barbecue until cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
• Slice and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook penne in a large pot of water until tender but firm, about 8-10 minutes.
• Drain well.
• Break off tough ends of asparagus.
• Leaving whole, grill spears on barbecue when chicken breasts are almost done, about 5 minutes.
• Remove and cut into 2 inch pieces.
• In a large bowl, toss together pasta, chicken, asparagus, red pepper strips and sun-dried tomatoes.
• Gently stir in pesto and serve immediately.

GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Slice tomato in to 8 thin slices and set aside.
• Mix cheeses and set aside.
• Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to make 4 thin pieces. Broil for about 3 minutes per side or until cooked through.
• Meanwhile, spread equal amounts of butter on one side of each bread slice.
• Place buttered side down in a large skillet and top each slice with equal amounts of cheese.
• Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown on the bottom.
• Top half the slices with tomato and cooked chicken, spread pesto over chicken and top with remaining slices.

GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICHES WITH SAGE PESTO AND APPLES

Steps:

• Using on/off turns, blend sage leaves, pine nuts, parsley, and garlic in processor until mixture is finely chopped. With machine running, add 3/4 cup oil and blend until thick paste forms. Mix in cheese. Transfer to small bowl; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface of pesto and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Place each chicken breast between sheets of waxed paper. Using rolling pin or meat mallet, pound each to 1/2-inch thickness. Brush chicken with 3 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let chicken stand 30 minutes.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Grill chicken until firm to touch and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter. Grill focaccia until just beginning to brown, about 1 minute per side.
• Arrange bottom halves of focaccia on work surface. Spread each with mayonnaise. Top each with overlapping layer of sliced apple, then 1 chicken breast. Drizzle each chicken breast with pesto. Spread pesto on cut side of bread tops. Place tops on chicken, pesto side down. Cut sandwiches in half on diagonal. Transfer sandwiches to plates and serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH DECONSTRUCTED PESTO

Steps:

• Build a fire in your grill; when the flames have died down, all the coals are covered with gray ash and the temperature is medium (you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill for about 5 seconds), you're ready to cook. (For a gas grill, turn all burners to high, lower cover and heat for 15 minutes, then turn burners to medium.)
• Combine the chicken, 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the salt and pepper in a large bowl and toss well to coat, then thread the chicken chunks onto the skewers so they press up against one another but aren't jammed together.
• Put the skewers on the grill directly over the coals and cook, rolling the skewers around every 3 to 4 minutes to ensure all the sides are more or less evenly exposed to the heat, until lightly seared, about 12 to 14 minutes. To check for doneness, make a small cut and peek inside a couple of the chunks to be sure they are opaque all the way through with no pink.
• Slide the chicken chunks off the skewers into a large bowl, add all the other ingredients one after the other, toss well to coat evenly, season to taste if needed and serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN AND MOZZARELLA PESTO SKEWERS

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a bowl. Put the eggplant cubes in a separate bowl and add the peppers.
• Sprinkle the chicken with a third of the orange zest, and some oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Toss well.
• Sprinkle the vegetables with another third of the zest, and some oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Toss well.
• Preheat a grill for cooking over medium-high heat. Build skewers, alternating chicken cubes with vegetables. Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are charred and tender, 2 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, place the mozzarella cubes in another bowl and sprinkle with the remainder of the zest, along with some oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Toss well.
• Thread the mozzarella cubes on the tops and bottoms of each of the skewers. Drizzle with pesto and serve immediately.