Best 2 Arugula Pesto Chicken Recipes

If you're looking for a flavorful and easy weeknight meal, arugula pesto chicken is an excellent choice. It's packed with flavor from the fresh arugula, basil, and pine nuts in the pesto, and the chicken is cooked to perfection. Serve it over pasta, rice, or quinoa for a complete meal that will satisfy the whole family. Arugula pesto chicken is also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

ARUGULA PESTO CHICKEN

Arugula Pesto Chicken image

We had an abundance of arugula in our garden, so I turned it into pesto. The bold green color reminds my son of something the Incredible Hulk would eat. -Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 cups fresh arugula or spinach
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 garlic clove, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
4 medium zucchini
1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, shredded
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

Pulse arugula, basil, pine nuts, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor until chopped. While processing, gradually add 1/4 cup oil in a steady stream until mixture is smooth. Using a shredder or spiralizer, shred zucchini lengthwise into long strands., In a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Add zucchini strands and chicken. Cook and stir until zucchini is crisp-tender, about 4 minutes., Remove from heat. Add tomatoes, pesto, pepper and remaining salt; toss to coat. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve using a slotted spoon.,

Nutrition Facts : Calories 488 calories, Fat 32g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 110mg cholesterol, Sodium 836mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 41g protein.

CHICKEN WITH ARUGULA PESTO

Chicken With Arugula Pesto image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

Kosher salt
6 ounces orecchiette (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
3 cups baby arugula
1/2 cup firmly packed fresh parsley
2 tablespoons almonds or hazelnuts, toasted
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4 small skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 pounds)
2 medium tomatoes, halved
2 teaspoons whole-wheat breadcrumbs

Steps:

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; about 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the green beans. Drain the pasta and beans and rinse under cold water. Toss with half of the cheese, 1 tablespoon olive oil, the lemon zest and salt.
Preheat the broiler. Puree the arugula, parsley, nuts, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons water, the remaining cheese and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt to taste in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl.
Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to about 1/2 inch thick. Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet and season with salt. Rub all over with 1/4 cup of the arugula pesto and broil, turning once, until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Arrange the tomatoes cut-side up on another baking sheet and broil 2 minutes. Spread each with some pesto and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs. Broil until golden, 1 more minute. Serve the chicken, tomatoes and pasta salad with the remaining pesto.

Tips:

For the best flavor, use fresh arugula. If you can't find fresh arugula, you can substitute baby spinach or kale.
Use a food processor or blender to make the pesto. This will give it a smooth and creamy texture.
If you don't have pine nuts, you can substitute walnuts or almonds.
To make the chicken more flavorful, marinate it in the pesto for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
You can cook the chicken in a variety of ways. You can grill it, bake it, or pan-fry it.
Serve the chicken with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Conclusion:

Arugula pesto chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. The pesto is flavorful and versatile, and it can be used to marinate or sauce chicken, fish, or vegetables. The chicken is cooked to perfection and is juicy and tender. This dish is sure to please everyone at your table.