Description
A deliciously irresistible dish combining tender chicken marinated in lemon and garlic, creamy homemade pesto, and perfectly cooked orzo pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 25g flaked almonds
- Large bunch of flat-leaf parsley
- Small bunch of basil
- Small bunch of mint leaves picked
- 25g grated Parmesan plus extra shaved Parmesan to serve
- 1 whole garlic clove
- 100ml extra virgin olive oil plus a drizzle to serve
- 250g orzo pasta
- 16 asparagus spears trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Start by dicing your chicken and gathering your ingredients (5 minutes).
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine lemon zest, juice, crushed garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Marinate chicken for at least 15 minutes for best flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through (12 minutes).
- Toast the Almonds: Toast flaked almonds in a dry pan for about 3-4 minutes until golden (4 minutes).
- Make the Pesto: In a food processor, combine cooled almonds, parsley, basil, mint, Parmesan, and garlic. Blend then drizzle in oil until desired consistency (5 minutes).
- Cook the Orzo: Boil salted water and cook orzo per package instructions (about 8-10 minutes). Add asparagus 3 minutes before done (10 minutes).
- Combine and Serve: Drain orzo and asparagus, mix with chicken and pesto, and top with shaved Parmesan and drizzle of olive oil (5 minutes).
Notes
Adjust flavors with additional lemon zest in the pesto for extra brightness. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 70mg