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Flavorful Grilled Pesto Chicken Recipe Easy Herb Crust for Summer BBQ

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A juicy grilled chicken recipe featuring a fresh herb pesto crust that stays flavorful and moist, perfect for summer barbecues and quick dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
  • 1 cup packed fresh basil, finely chopped (about 25 g)
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (about 15 g)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional; walnuts or almonds can be used as alternatives)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 30 g)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (60 ml)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs (about 60 g; panko recommended)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine basil, parsley, thyme, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, lemon zest, and breadcrumbs. Pour in olive oil and stir until mixture forms a slightly coarse paste that is moist but not runny. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. (2 minutes)
  3. Press the herb mixture firmly onto one side of each chicken breast, forming a thick coating. (5 minutes)
  4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F / 190-204°C). Oil the grill grates with a brush dipped in olive oil to prevent sticking. (10 minutes)
  5. Place chicken on grill, crust side up first. Grill uncovered for 5-6 minutes. Flip carefully and grill the herb-crusted side for 6-7 minutes. Cover with grill lid to maintain heat. (Approx. 12-15 minutes total)
  6. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer; chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). If not done, move to indirect heat and cook a few more minutes. (2-3 minutes if needed)
  7. Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. (5 minutes)
  8. Slice and serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Notes

If the crust browns too fast, move chicken to a cooler part of the grill after flipping to prevent burning. Resting the chicken before slicing is crucial for juicy results. For nut-free version, omit pine nuts and increase breadcrumbs or add sunflower seeds. For dairy-free, skip Parmesan or use nutritional yeast. Can be cooked on a grill pan or broiled in the oven if no grill is available.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, pesto chicken, herb crust, summer BBQ, easy grilled chicken, fresh herbs, backyard barbecue

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/flavorful-grilled-pesto-chicken-recipe-easy-herb-crust-for-summer-bbq/