Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup basil pesto, ¼ cup olive oil, ½ cup bottled ranch dressing, 3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp minced garlic (or to taste), and salt and pepper (to taste). Let the marinade sit for 5 minutes.
- Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet (or a heavy pan) until evenly 1/4-inch thick.
- Put the pounded chicken breasts into a gallon-size zip-top bag. Pour the marinade into the bag, seal it, press out excess air, and gently massage the bag so the chicken is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate the sealed bag for at least 2 hours or up to overnight (several hours to overnight), turning the bag occasionally to redistribute the marinade.
- When ready to cook, preheat the grill to medium-high. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 10–15 minutes before grilling to take the chill off (optional). Remove chicken from the bag and discard the used marinade.
- Grill the chicken 8 to 12 minutes total, flipping once halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear.
Notes
You can use this marinade on any cut of chicken– chicken breasts, chicken tenders, chicken thighs, chicken wings, or chicken drumsticks/legs.You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
I suggest pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness. We put the chicken in a ziplock bag and use a flat meat mallet to pound out the hump carefully. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and you don’t have juicy chicken and half-dry chicken.
I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken in the oven or skillet? Yes! To cook the chicken breasts inside, pan-sear it for 3 to 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Place in a baking dish. Bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes.
Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing:https://www.plainchicken.com/copycat-outback-ranch-dressing/You can also make your own ranch dressing with ranch seasoning packets.Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Mix:https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
You can also make your own ranch dressing with ranch seasoning packets.Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Mix:https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Mix:https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
My favorite store-bought pesto is Rao’s.
For an extra indulgent meal, top the chicken with mozzarella cheese and/or parmesan cheese.
Can I freeze Pesto Chicken? Yes! You can freeze the chicken uncooked or cooked.Prepare the marinade. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook.To freeze cooked chicken, cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Prepare the marinade. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook.
To freeze cooked chicken, cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Store leftover chicken in anairtight containerin the refrigerator.Leftovers are great tossed with al dente pasta or in a salad.
Leftovers are great tossed with al dente pasta or in a salad.
You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
I suggest pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness. We put the chicken in a ziplock bag and use a flat meat mallet to pound out the hump carefully. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and you don’t have juicy chicken and half-dry chicken.
I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken in the oven or skillet? Yes! To cook the chicken breasts inside, pan-sear it for 3 to 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Place in a baking dish. Bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes.
Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing:https://www.plainchicken.com/copycat-outback-ranch-dressing/You can also make your own ranch dressing with ranch seasoning packets.Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Mix:https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
You can also make your own ranch dressing with ranch seasoning packets.Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Mix:https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Mix:https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
My favorite store-bought pesto is Rao’s.
For an extra indulgent meal, top the chicken with mozzarella cheese and/or parmesan cheese.
Can I freeze Pesto Chicken? Yes! You can freeze the chicken uncooked or cooked.Prepare the marinade. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook.To freeze cooked chicken, cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Prepare the marinade. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook.
To freeze cooked chicken, cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Store leftover chicken in anairtight containerin the refrigerator.Leftovers are great tossed with al dente pasta or in a salad.
Leftovers are great tossed with al dente pasta or in a salad.