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Grilled Chicken with Pesto & Marinated Tomatoes Recipe

Grilled Chicken with Pesto & Marinated Tomatoes

Looking for a way to dress up simple chicken breasts tonight? Here, the tomatoes and pesto pack a lot of flavor for such a simple preparation. Plus, the tomatoes do double duty: Use them as a colorful topping for hot slices of garlic toast. Or, toss them with cooked pasta along with olives, chickpeas, and roasted red peppers. Serves 4

4 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2/3 cup homemade or store-bought basil pesto
3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
4 ripe plum tomatoes, cored
3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil; more for brushing
1-1/2 tsp. red-wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 generous tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbs. chopped fresh basil (or a mix of cilantro, basil, and flat-leaf parsley)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat a gas grill to high. Butterfly the chicken breasts by making a horizontal cut through the center of the thickest long side of the breast. Cut almost but not entirely through each breast. Open the breasts like a book. Cover with plastic wrap and pound to flatten slightly to an even thickness. Combine the pesto with 2 Tbs. of the lemon juice and rub over the chicken in a nonreactive dish.

Cut each tomato in half. Gently remove the seeds with your fingers, coarsely chop the flesh, and put it in a bowl. In a small bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, basil, remaining 1 Tbs. lemon juice, 1 tsp. salt, and a generous amount of pepper. Pour this over the tomatoes and combine well. Remove the chicken from the pesto, shaking to remove excess marinade, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Grill, turning once, until golden on both sides and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve hot or at room temperature. At the table, spoon the tomatoes over the chicken.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with quick Sautéed Fennel & Red Onion with Arugula or Grilled Bread Salad with Tomatoes & Spicy Greens makes a nice side if you have extra tomatoes, too.
 

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 460; Fat (g): 33; Fat Calories (kcal): 290; Saturated Fat (g): 7; Protein (g): 35; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 20; Carbohydrates (g): 7; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 3; Sodium (mg): 660; Cholesterol (mg): 85; Fiber (g): 2;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 52 , pp. 86b
August 1, 2002


user reviews

Star Star Star Star Star We liked this recipe but were surprised and disappointed in the chickens lack of flavor. (And I marinated longer than the recipe says due to schedules changing last minute.) Next time I would just marinate the chicken in Italian dressing for the day and do the tomatoes as written. Served with greens and grilled bread---both topped with the tomatoes also. Nice, healthy meal.
Star Star Star Star Star Delicious, easy to make, easy clean up. We love this recipe. Even my picky 6 yr old gobbled it up. I served it with corn salad and garlic bread...yummy! Thanks, Fine Cooking!
Star Star Star Star Star If we could give this recipe 10 stars, we would! We have made this countless times, and loved it every time. It's great for company, or for a nice family meal. Easy prep and great results!
Star Star Star Star Star Love this recipe. The chicken is juicy and tender. It's so quick and easy and the whole family loves it, even my pickiest eater.