Tarragon Pesto Chicken Breasts with Dressed Greens rolls two favorite recipes into one! My trick how to make fast, juicy chicken breasts every time and how to make pesto! Both are easier than you think and will allow you to mix and match with endless other recipes.
As much as grilling is king for the summer, fast, fabulous, fresh meals also are happening in the Boulder Locavore kitchen. We love the exhale into summer, with a bit more sleep and spontaneity than the school year but more time doesn’t mean I want to spend hours in the kitchen being slave to a hot oven!
I have an absolute favorite way to prepare boneless chicken breasts that leaves them flavorful, with a beautiful seared outside and always moist and plump inside. And did I mention they are done in less than 15 minutes? It usually takes almost that long to order, pay for and pick up fast food. This is a far better end result.
As soon as the weather warms up I love to combine protein and a salad for a one plate meal. It’s satisfying and in this case super fast to make. For this recipe I wanted to top the succulent chicken breasts with a fresh pesto. Pesto can be made with any herb or green, not only the traditional basil. Typically it is made from a green herb or greens, olive oil, garlic and a nut. Some recipes include Parmesan cheese though if you leave it out you can also freeze the pesto for a future recipe.
My garden is always full of tarragon and I often can’t think of what to make with it. French Tarragon which is the main variety of culinary tarragon can be found in the herb section of the grocery store. The idea of tarragon mixed with some basil in a pesto seemed great along with some toasted walnuts. Tarragon pesto chicken breasts with dressed greens seemed a full flavored easy meal we’d love!
French tarragon tends to have a distinct, strong flavor and smells similar to anise, which is why I also used basil. Incorporating the pesto at the end of the recipe preparation allows using the amount desired and reserving some to add at the table as well. Always taste as you cook to ensure the end results is pleasing to you.
If you are unfamiliar with tarragon’s flavor, mix up the pesto ingredients using a small amount of the tarragon and adjust by your taste as you go. If you find the pesto strong, use a bit less when preparing the chicken and allow guests to add more individually on the chicken when served.
Though the weather has not been quite warm enough to plant my food garden (and seriously I have not had a moment of time to do it even so), I love keeping pots of different greens and herbs to make a fresh, healthy, tasty bed to place a sliced chicken breast. Greens dressed with Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing makes a quick, seasonal meal everyone will love! There are plenty of salad dressing recipes to choose from if you’d like a different option.
I want to connect with you! Leave a comment and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram!
KalynsKitchen says
I love everything about the sound of this, especially the Tarragon Pesto!
Toni Dash says
Thanks Kalyn! I had a craving for tarragon in a different form and it was really delicious! Appreciate you stopping by.
Denise says
I wish I had a chicken breast in the freezer because now I want this salad!
kita says
Chicken is tricky on the grill some days (especially late night cooking which happens around here), so grilling can be a problem. But this method sounds amazing. I am going to give it a try next week!
robin rue says
That sounds like a delicious summer meal idea. My whole family is going to love this.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This looks so, so good! I eat a lot of chicken now that I’m trying to live a healthier lifestyle, and it can get boring. I can’t wait to make this.
robin rue says
Completely agree. Chicken gets so boring so fast and I love new ideas, too!
Colleen Lanin says
That is as beautiful as it is delicious. Pesto is my absolute favorite addition to any recipe. It’s so full of flavor and health, to boot!
Jeanette says
This weekend my husband and I have a weekend on her own and I am going to definitely try this. I am betting we will like it a lot.
Diana Rambles says
I eat salads everyday. I cannot wait to try this one.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
My daughter will love this. She’s learning to cook for her husband and I like that this recipe is easy enough for her to follow. Looks delicious too, and I am sure her husband would be so impressed!
Reesa Lewandowski says
I love how delicious this is for a weeknight meal!! So much flavor, yet so simple!
lisalisa says
Now you have me wanting to make this, I love salads! This would be a great simple meal to cook for myself and my husband on those days when I’ve worked hard and need something to eat quick!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I don’t think I have heard of tarragon pesto before. This sounds amazing! I cannot wait to make this for my husband!
Pam says
I really like tarragon. I grow it in my herb garden just in case I stumble across recipes like this!
Melissa says
I love the tarragon pesto on just about anything and it is great if its fresh. I think it is starting to get warm enough to cook on the grill already.
Jamie says
I haven’t used much tarragon in my cooking, but this dish sounds amazing! I am always looking for ways to make chicken that are new and delicious!
Meagan says
This looks really good. I may need to add it to the meal plan.
Cathi Crismon says
Such a delicious and healthy dish! Right up the alley for my family. Thanks so much!
Maureen says
These look delicious. I love the idea of making something different with chicken breast, I always run out of creative ideas!
Jennifer says
Ouh, this looks like such a yummy recipe! I eat a lot of chicken salads so love finding different ways to mix it up.
Tara says
This dish looks absolutely delicious. It’s nice and light which is perfect for the warmer weather.
travel blogger says
This looks so delicious! I honestly hardly ever cook with tarragon so I will have to give this a try! It looks perfect for a spring dinner out on the deck.
Veronica Solomon says
I love this! It sounds so delicious and flavorful
Amy Desrosiers says
Oh boy does this chicken salad look amazing! I love trying new sauces on my grilled or baked chicken.
gingermommyrants says
This Tarragon Pesto Chicken Breasts look so delicious and easy to make. The dressed greens will be a nice refreshing taste with it. I am always looking for new recipe ideas.
Lisa Bristol says
Wow these Tarragon Pesto Chicken Breasts with Dressed Greens look so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make this for dinner this week.
Claudia Krusch says
I am always looking for new ways to cook chicken. I am excited to try these Tarragon Pesto Chicken Breasts with Dressed Greens. I am sure it will be a hit.
Shauna says
I don’t cook with tarragon often, but this chicken looks so good! I am definitely going to make this for my family.
Liz Mays says
Now this sounds good. I’d love to try a pesto like this. I can see this being a nice healthy dinner for us!
Elizabeth Lampman says
This looks like a great summer time recipe. I will have to add it to my meal plan for next week.
Crystal says
pesto is one of my favorite things,s o this tarragon variety sounds just delightful. It’s warm enough year to grill and plant. Can’t wait to try this dish.
katrina gehman says
seriously, this looks amazing! i love pesto. it makes everything so much better
Rachel Ferrucci says
I love chicken dishes and this is my style. It sounds like it could become a staple meal.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
My dad is on a Paleo-like diet and I am sure he would appreciate this yummy-looking recipe.
I plan on sharing this with him.
Melissa says
That tarragon pesto looks so fresh and scrumptious you don’t even need the chicken. I love to grill all year if its not snowing and the food tastes better with less mess.
Jeanine says
This looks oh so delicious! Thanks to my gallbladder I can usually only stomach chicken so I’m always on the look for new chicken recipes! This looks incredible, and full of flavour!
Rosey says
Ha, you said ‘anise.’ I’ve been trying to break my addiction to chewing it (it’s so good!) and now I want it, lol. The recipe looks really good. I know my grown kids would be all over this!!
Louise Bishop says
I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever ended up using tarragon. I’m not sure why, it’s just not one of those spices that pops up a lot.
Toni Dash says
This recipe was truly born out of an abundance in my home garden and scratching my head over what to make with it. It’s a unique herb with a very signature flavor. I think of it in French cooking.
Sheena Tatum says
This sounds delicious. I don’t use tarragon often either. Although you are showing me I need to!
Kita Bryant says
This looks so tasty! Pesto is one of my favorite things to add to a dish!
Cassie Tucker says
This looks like the perfect dish for my husband. I think he will love how the chicken has plenty of sauce for flavor without it going everywhere.
SHELLEY R ZUREK says
I have chicken in the fridge right now and was considering what recipe I would use. DING DING DING
Ann Bacciaglia says
Pesto is one of my favorites. I am looking forward to making this recipe soon. I am always looking for healthy options to try.
Kiwi says
This looks super delish. I love this is made with pesto sauce.
Dogvills says
This is sure to be a hit in my family. We are meat lovers and chicken is our favorite. This is a great way to enjoy chicken and veggies as well. Adding this to my meal plan for next week. 🙂
Mary Edwards says
I LOVE pesto! This looks like a great summer meal for our family!