Oven Baked Pesto Crusted Chicken

Basil and pine nut crusted chicken is a delicious and aromatic dish, perfect for a flavourful weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, halved lengthways to make it thinner
• 2.5 cups fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 lemon juiced + zest
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• Cracked pepper, to taste
• 3 pieces of bread, toasted (GF optional)

Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 190 degrees celcius.

Step 2

Cut each chicken breast in half lengthways so you have 8 thin pieces. Place each piece of chicken on a baking tray and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Toast 3 slices of bread and place into food processor. Blitz to a rough crumb. Empty the crumbs out of the food processor and wipe out ready to make the pesto.

Step 4

Next, add the basil, pine nuts, parmesan and garlic, lemon juice and zest to your food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Gradually add the olive oil and blitz on high until it becomes a thick creamy paste.

Step 5

Set aside 2 tablespoons of the pesto and add the remaining pesto to the breadcrumbs. Use a spoon to combine the pesto and breadcrumbs, then massage the pesto through the crumbs. Set aside once combined.

Step 6

Spread a small amount of pesto over each piece, followed by a layer of crumbs and gently press down. Repeat for each piece.

Step 7

Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and place in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.

Step 8

Serve with a fresh salad or your favourite vegetables!

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