Description
Culinary magic happens when Pesto Chicken Cauliflower Rice blends Mediterranean flavors with healthy ingredients. Zesty basil pesto coats tender chicken over light cauliflower rice, creating a low-carb meal that delights you with each flavorful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) paprika
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 cups (960 ml) cauliflower rice (store-bought or grated fresh cauliflower)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Pine nuts (toasted)
Instructions
- Infuse chicken pieces with a blend of aromatic spices including garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Warm a generous splash of olive oil in a expansive skillet, establishing a sizzling medium-high temperature landscape.
- Introduce seasoned chicken to the heated surface, allowing each morsel to develop a rich, golden-brown exterior through careful periodic rotation.
- Monitor cooking progression, ensuring chicken reaches a perfectly safe internal temperature of 75C/165F, which typically requires approximately 5-7 minutes of culinary attention.
- Transition the skillet to a lower thermal setting, gently incorporating vibrant pesto throughout the chicken, creating a luxurious, herb-infused coating that envelops each tender piece.
- Once thoroughly glazed, remove the skillet from heat, allowing the pesto-drenched chicken to rest momentarily before serving alongside cauliflower rice.
Notes
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick and even cooking, ensuring tender and juicy results.
- Opt for homemade or high-quality store-bought pesto to enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Use fresh cauliflower rice or quickly pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor for a more budget-friendly alternative to pre-packaged options.
- Customize the dish by adding extra vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or roasted bell peppers for additional nutrition and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg