Pesto Chicken Bowl (Printable Version)

Tender basil pesto chicken over fluffy rice with fresh vegetables for a nourishing, flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 4 tablespoons basil pesto
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice

06 - 1 1/4 cups uncooked jasmine or basmati rice
07 - 2 cups water
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Fresh Vegetables & Toppings

09 - 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
11 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1 medium avocado, sliced
13 - 2 cups baby spinach or mixed salad greens
14 - 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, optional
15 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - In a bowl, combine chicken pieces, basil pesto, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover, and marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
03 - While rice cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
04 - Halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, slice onion and avocado, and wash spinach or greens.
05 - Divide rice among 4 bowls. Top with cooked chicken, fresh vegetables, and greens. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and garnish with basil leaves.
06 - Serve immediately. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pesto does all the heavy lifting flavor-wise, so the chicken stays juicy and bright without needing a dozen spices.
  • You can prep everything while the rice cooks, which means minimal time with multiple pans going at once.
  • It tastes just as good cold the next day, making it secretly perfect for meal prep without tasting like leftovers.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice, because that starch difference between rinsed and unrinsed rice is the line between fluffy bowls and gluey disappointment.
  • If you're using homemade pesto, taste it before you marinate the chicken, because pesto strength varies wildly and you might need less if it's made with aggressive garlic.
03 -
  • If your pesto is thick and concentrated, loosen it slightly with an extra teaspoon of olive oil so it coats the chicken evenly instead of clumping.
  • Let your rice rest for those five minutes after cooking even though it feels like wasting time, because that's when the starches set and the grains separate cleanly instead of clinging together.
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