Italian Pesto Grilled Chicken makes the most of a few store bought staples for one simple and flavorful healthy chicken dish!
If, IF, there was a flaw in my cooking style or system, I can admit it’s my wastefulness. Not necessarily with the amount of food I prep each week or the use of leftovers, but the fact that I forget about foods in my pantry or open bottles of sauces and spreads in our fridge. And then I need to pitch them because they are well past their use by date. I’d blame it on being pregnant, but I know my food waste conundrum has been around well before baby. In an attempt to address my flaws [half-joking] and make good use of the food we have at home without buying a product or ingredient for just one recipe [which also leads to food waste], I came up with this simple recipe for Italian pesto grilled chicken.
You see, I’ll buy pesto and use a tablespoon or two in a cream sauce, tomato sauce, or as a spread on grilled cheese for extra flavor. And as for the Italian dressing? That’s my go-to marinade for most grilled meat. But something funny happens when I buy a bottle of both. I lose them in the black hole known as my refrigerator and forget they are there for a month or two! What I love about both of these store bought products is that they are convenient- the number of recipes I can use them in is endless- and they go great together. Add them to some chicken breasts or chicken thighs, marinate in your fridge, and voila! They are ready for the grill or oven for some extra flavorful chicken.
While food waste isn’t always top of mind for me [thank you toddlers for consuming every brain cell possible day in and day out], springtime brings out the green thumb in many of us [April is known as Garden Month], and the awareness of Earth Day [April 22nd]. While you might think of going green in terms of the organic or natural products you buy [I’m indifferent on that subject] or the food you grow in your backyard, consider looking at the amount of food you waste at meals, at the end of the week, or during your clean-out-the-fridge or pantry spring clean! And believe me, there’s more than just food waste I can adapt or change when it comes to “going green”!
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons pesto
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- In a large bowl, add pesto and Italian dressing. Whisk together. Add chicken, cover with marinade, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes [or up to 8 hours].
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling. Place chicken on the grill and cook 6 minutes each side, or until juices run clear.
- Let grilled chicken rest 5 minutes, covered, before slicing and serving.
Make the most of pantry staples with this simple Italian Pesto Grilled Chicken! Share on X
Disclaimer: I am proud to partner with the Kroger Co. of Michigan to bring you healthy recipes and science-based nutrition advice. Because of these great partnerships I am able to share delicious and nutritious family-friendly recipes. As always all opinion and ideas are 100% my own.
I am condiment obsessed but sadly wasteful as well. I hate when I have to throw stuff out! Great use of the pesto and marinade together, this chicken looks so good!!
I used to love chicken marinated in just Zesty Italian dressing, but this is even better! It’s great baked in the oven too, not just grilled! Love it!
Oh wow I’ll have to give that a try! I’ve never done it baked. What temp and for how long?