Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Chicken and Vegetable Pesto Stir-Fry, a culinary delight that tantalizes your taste buds with every bite. This stir-fry features tender chicken, an array of colorful vegetables, and a zesty pesto sauce that elevates the dish to a new level. The chicken is perfectly cooked, maintaining its succulent texture, while the vegetables retain their crispness, adding a symphony of flavors and textures. The star of the show, the pesto sauce, is crafted with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, delivering a burst of herbaceousness and a nutty undertone. This delectable stir-fry is not only a feast for the senses but also a healthy and balanced meal, packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. Accompany it with fluffy rice or your preferred grain for a complete and satisfying dining experience. The recipe also includes variations for vegetarians, those seeking a gluten-free option, and a step-by-step guide to making homemade pesto.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
EASY PESTO CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES
This Easy Pesto Chicken and Vegetables meal prep is super fast and easy, and holds up well in the fridge for tasty lunches all week!
Provided by Beth - Budget Bytes
Categories Dinner Lunch Main Course
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Chop the bell pepper, yellow squash, and zucchini, and slice the red onion. I like to make different shapes for each vegetable, but aim to make the pieces all around the same size.
- Cube the chicken breasts into ½-inch pieces.
- Add the cooking oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high. Once the skillet and oil are very hot, add the chicken and sauté until the chicken pieces are opaque (3-5 minutes - the chicken will continue to cook as you add vegetables).
- Add the green beans to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes more, or just until thawed.
- Add the bell pepper and red onion to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes more. If water is beginning to pool in the skillet, turn the heat up slightly. It should be hot enough that the water released from the vegetables evaporates quickly.
- Add the yellow squash and zucchini to the skillet and continue to sauté 2-3 minutes more, or just until the squash softens slightly.
- Turn the heat off, add the pesto to the skillet, and stir until everything is coated. Give the vegetables a taste and add salt, pepper, or more pesto if desired. Top with a light sprinkle of Parmesan just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1.5 cups, Calories 369.33 kcal, Carbohydrate 11.68 g, Protein 36.8 g, Fat 19.2 g, Sodium 423.15 mg, Fiber 3.43 g
PESTO CHICKEN SKILLET SUPPER
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 16m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to the skillet, throw in the chicken and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and reserve.
- Add the onions, zucchini and squash and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes. Move those vegetables to the edges of the skillet and add the kale, tomatoes, corn and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale turns bright green, an additional, 1 to 2 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together the pesto and cream.
- Return the chicken to the skillet along with any juices. Add the pesto cream and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and grated Parmesan. Enjoy.
PESTO CHICKEN RECIPE WITH VEGETABLES
One-pan chicken pesto and vegetables makes the perfect weeknight meal in 20 minutes! I recommend homemade pesto for this recipe, but you can totally use store-bought pesto for a shortcut if you need to.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Main Course
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Pat chicken breast cutlets dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides. (Boneless skinless chicken breasts can be used, simply cut them in half horizontally so that you have thinner pieces. Watch the video to see how I do this).
- In large cast iron skillet, heat a little bit of extra virgin olive oil (about 2 tbsp) until shimmering but not smoking in a cast iron skillet. Add chicken to the heated skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, turning over once. Remove from the skillet and set aside for now.
- If needed, add a little bit more extra virgin olive oil to the skillet. Add zucchini, bell peppers, onion, and grape tomatoes. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes or so, tossing occasionally, until the veggies have softened.
- In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, mix together the basil pesto and cream.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet. Pour the pesto and cream mixture in. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for a minute or so.
- Remove the skillet from the heat, add lemon juice and lemon zest. Add pine nuts and fresh basil for garnish. Serve hot with your favorite grain or plain orzo pasta.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 245.8 kcal, Carbohydrate 4.6 g, Protein 25.7 g, Fat 13.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Cholesterol 91.8 mg, Sodium 269.2 mg, Fiber 1.1 g, Sugar 2.5 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CHICKEN & VEGETABLE STIR-FRY
You can't beat a stir-fry when you want a light entree that's filling and loaded with flavor. Pepper flakes give this classic combination a welcome zip. -Samuel Onizuk, Elkton, MD
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 35m
Yield 5 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Combine the cornstarch, broth and soy sauce until smooth; set aside., In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry chicken in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm., Stir-fry the cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, red pepper and onion in remaining oil until crisp-tender. Add the garlic, salt, pepper and pepper flakes; cook 1 minute longer., Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken; heat through. Serve with rice. Sprinkle each serving with cilantro.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 297 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 670mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
STIR-FRY CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES
This is one of my favorite stir-fry recipes. Simple, quick, and easy. Serve over rice.
Provided by Michael Scovetta
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian
Time 40m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Mix chicken, soy sauce, sherry, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat; cook and stir broccoli, bell pepper, zucchini, and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, cover, and simmer until vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables and sauce to a large bowl and wipe skillet clean.
- Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat; cook and stir chicken until meat is no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes. Stir in vegetables; continue to cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes more. Sprinkle with green onions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 313.8 calories, Carbohydrate 20.2 g, Cholesterol 45.4 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 22.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 1265 mg, Sugar 6.3 g
Tips:
- Prep your ingredients in advance: This will make the stir-fry come together quickly and easily.
- Use a large skillet or wok: This will give you plenty of room to stir-fry the chicken and vegetables.
- Heat your skillet or wok over high heat: This will help to sear the chicken and vegetables and give them a nice caramelized flavor.
- Stir-fry the chicken in batches: This will help to prevent the chicken from steaming and ensure that it cooks evenly.
- Add the vegetables to the skillet or wok in stages: This will help to prevent them from becoming overcrowded and soggy.
- Stir-fry the chicken and vegetables until they are cooked through: The chicken should be cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables should be tender but still have a bit of a crunch.
- Add the pesto sauce and stir to combine: This will help to coat the chicken and vegetables in the flavorful sauce.
- Serve the stir-fry over rice or noodles: This will help to soak up the delicious sauce.
Conclusion:
- Prep your ingredients in advance: This will make the stir-fry come together quickly and easily.
- Use a large skillet or wok: This will give you plenty of room to stir-fry the chicken and vegetables.
- Heat your skillet or wok over high heat: This will help to sear the chicken and vegetables and give them a nice caramelized flavor.
- Stir-fry the chicken in batches: This will help to prevent the chicken from steaming and ensure that it cooks evenly.
- Add the vegetables to the skillet or wok in stages: This will help to prevent them from becoming overcrowded and soggy.
- Stir-fry the chicken and vegetables until they are cooked through: The chicken should be cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables should be tender but still have a bit of a crunch.
- Add the pesto sauce and stir to combine: This will help to coat the chicken and vegetables in the flavorful sauce.
- Serve the stir-fry over rice or noodles: This will help to soak up the delicious sauce.
Conclusion:
This chicken and vegetable pesto stir-fry is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It is packed with flavor and can be easily customized to your liking. So next time you are looking for a healthy and flavorful meal, give this stir-fry a try.
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