Keto Chicken Pesto : This low carb chicken pesto is rich, flavorful, and incredibly simple to make, making it the perfect meal whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or whipping up a quick weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Pesto
Low Carb & Keto-Friendly: With minimal carbs, this dish is perfect for those following a ketogenic lifestyle.
Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights.
Versatile: Works great with various keto-friendly side dishes or even on its own.
Packed with Flavor: The fresh, herby pesto combined with juicy chicken makes for a dish that is bursting with flavor.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Keto Chicken Pesto
- Choose high-quality pesto: If you’re using store-bought pesto, look for brands that have no added sugars and use healthy oils like olive oil instead of soybean or canola oil.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Keeping the chicken juicy is key to making this dish perfect. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken doesn’t dry out.
- Make extra pesto: You can easily store leftover pesto in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it in ice cube trays for future use.
- Cheesy upgrade: If you’re a fan of cheesy dishes, feel free to top the chicken with a slice of mozzarella or shredded cheese before the final simmer. Let it melt for an ooey-gooey finish!
Variations to Try
Keto Pesto Stuffed Chicken: For a gourmet twist, butterfly your chicken breasts and stuff them with pesto and mozzarella before baking.
Keto Pesto Chicken Thighs: For extra juiciness, swap chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They tend to stay moist longer during cooking and bring a richer flavor.
Pesto Chicken Casserole: Layer chicken breasts in a baking dish, top with pesto, mozzarella cheese, and bake until bubbly and golden.
Grilled Pesto Chicken: Fire up the grill for a smoky variation. Grill the chicken and brush on the pesto during the last few minutes of cooking.
How to Serve Keto Chicken Pesto
Wondering how to round out your Keto Chicken Pesto meal? Here are some low-carb side dishes that pair perfectly:
- Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles): Light, refreshing, and keto-friendly, zucchini noodles are an excellent pasta substitute. Toss them lightly in olive oil and garlic for added flavor.
- Cauliflower Rice: The mild flavor of cauliflower rice allows the pesto to really shine. You can sauté it quickly in butter or olive oil.
- Roasted Vegetables: Try roasting some broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers with olive oil, salt, and pepper. They add both texture and flavor to the meal.
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp green salad with mixed greens, cucumbers, and avocado is the perfect light side dish to complement the richness of the chicken pesto.
How to Store Keto Chicken Pesto
In the freezer: As mentioned earlier, this dish freezes well. Be sure to store the chicken in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
In the fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat or microwave until heated through.
Recipe FAQs
Is pesto keto-friendly?
Yes, pesto is keto-friendly as long as it doesn’t contain any added sugars or high-carb ingredients. Traditional pesto made with basil, olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, and nuts fits perfectly into a keto diet.
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?
Absolutely! While this recipe is focused on chicken, you can swap it for shrimp, salmon, or even a pork tenderloin to change things up.
How do I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make this dish dairy-free, simply omit the Parmesan cheese from both the pesto and the garnish. You can substitute nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
Can I freeze Keto Chicken Pesto?
Yes! You can freeze cooked chicken pesto in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.
Keto Chicken Pesto
Keto Chicken Pesto : This low carb chicken pesto is rich, flavorful, and incredibly simple to make, making it the perfect meal whether you're meal-prepping for the week or whipping up a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 ½ tablespoons avocado oil (or ghee, divided)
- ½ cup pesto sauce (divided, store-bought or homemade), keto friendly
- 2 ounces fresh Parmesan, grated
- 1 tomato, sliced
Instructions
- In a small dish, whisk together ⅓ cup pesto and 2 tablespoons of avocado oil.
- Toss the chicken in the pesto mixture, then marinate it in the fridge for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Preheat the broiler to high. Heat ½ tablespoon of avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
Top each piece of chicken with the remaining pesto, sliced tomato, and grated Parmesan. - Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve!
Notes
Make Pesto Sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 oz Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup pecans, toasted and cooled
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a food processor or blender, add the basil, garlic, olive oil, toasted pecans, Parmesan, and lemon juice.
- Blend: Process until the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Adjust Consistency: Add a bit of water if you prefer a thinner pesto.
- Store: Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 353Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 392mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 33g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Chicken Pesto recipe is a must-try for anyone on a low-carb or ketogenic diet. It’s quick to prepare, full of flavor, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re serving it with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or on its own, this dish is sure to impress. Make sure to try the variations and don’t forget to store your leftovers properly for future meals. Happy cooking!
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