Hearty and tangy, this one-skillet Chicken with Pesto Cauliflower Rice is an easy recipe to whip up for a family dinner. Its ingredients are grocery staples, and are quick and easy to find.
Skillet Chicken with Pesto Cauliflower Rice
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Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower, stem and florets chopped (about 4 cups)
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- ½ cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1½ tablespoons pine nuts toasted
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 shallots peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (1 pound)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Add cauliflower florets and stem pieces to a food processor. Process until cauliflower resembles rice grains, stopping to scrape down sides of the bowl as needed; set aside in a bowl. To the same food processor, place spinach, parsley, pine nuts, 1 tablespoon olive oil and Parmesan. Continue to process until a pesto forms.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add shallots and garlic and stir to coat. Season chicken with half of the salt and pepper and add to skillet; cook, uncovered, for 6–8 minutes or until chicken is browned on the bottom. Turn chicken over; season again with remaining salt and pepper. Continue to cook, covered, for 6–10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (about 160°).
- Cut lemon in half. Squeeze juice from half the lemon and cut remaining half into thin slices. Carefully transfer chicken to a platter and sprinkle with lemon juice. Leave remaining chicken juices and ingredients in skillet over medium heat.
- Add cauliflower to the pan, cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender. Add pesto to skillet and toss with cauliflower until cauliflower takes on a green color. Place chicken on top of the cauliflower rice in the skillet; cover. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving to ensure chicken is warmed through. To serve, cover chicken with lemon slices.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Skillet Chicken with Pesto Cauliflower Rice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 341296
Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g
26%
Saturated Fat 4g
20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 10g
Cholesterol 111mg
37%
Sodium 396mg
17%
Total Carbohydrates 7g
2%
Dietary Fiber 3g
12%
Sugars 2g
Protein 27g
54%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
PER SERVING (¾ cup cauliflower rice and 1 chicken breast): 296 cal, 17g fat (10g mono, 3g poly, 4g sat), 111mg chol, 396mg sodium, 7g carb (3g fiber, 2g sugars), 27g protein
