Sorry chicken, avocado is the star in this low-carb and protein-packed dish. It helps make a creamy dairy-free pesto that's filled with heart-healthy fats.

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchen

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Chicken with Avocado Pesto (00:58)

Total:: 30 min
Active:: 30 min

Yield:: 6 servings

Level:: Easy

Nutrition Info

Healthy

Ingredients

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing the grill grates
Zest of 1 lemon plus 2 tablespoons juice
2 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves
1 clove garlic, crushed and peeled
1 large ripe avocado

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Special equipment: Six 12-inch metal skewers or twelve 6-inch bamboo skewers

Prepare an outdoor grill or a grill pan for medium heat.

Whisk together 1 tablespoon of the oil and the lemon zest in a large bowl. Add the chicken to the oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide the chicken and thread onto metal or bamboo skewers.

Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently, until light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool.

Combine the pine nuts, basil, parsley, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a food processor. Process to make a coarse paste. Add the avocado, lemon juice and remaining 3 tablespoons oil and process until mostly smooth.

Grill the chicken, turning often, until just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve the chicken dolloped with the pesto and any extra pesto on the side.

My Private Notes

Name: Grilled Chicken with Avocado Pesto
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing the grill grates; Zest of 1 lemon plus 2 tablespoons juice; 2 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup pine nuts; 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves; 1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves; 1 clove garlic, crushed and peeled; 1 large ripe avocado