Pistachio-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Take the stress out of weeknight dinners with these easy and flavorful pistachio-stuffed chicken breasts. Serve with a side of your family’s favorite roasted vegetables and you’re set for a balanced meal!
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It’s hard to believe we’re almost at the end of August, which means it’s back-to-school season. I’ve shared my back to school meal planning guide, that includes a roundup of recipes perfect for families who are running around trying to get all the kids settled into school and still put a nutritious meal, like this pistachio-stuffed chicken on the table for the family.
Here’s what this month’s Recipe Redux theme entailed:
Back to the Dinner Table
After the hustle and bustle of the holiday/vacation season, August is the time many families get ‘back to routine.’ Show us your favorite recipe to help families get ‘back to the dinner table.’ It might be a favorite family recipe from your childhood that you’ve ReDuxed; or maybe it’s your family’s current favorite. Let’s all gather back at the table!
My initial plan was to make my updated version of panko-crusted chicken (you can find the old recipe here, but I’ve made some changes and it’s far improved, so stay tuned for that recipe one of these days!). My go-to side dishes to serve with the panko chicken are my roasted garlicky green beans and roasted sweet potatoes.
Last minute I decided I would coat the chicken breasts in a pistachio crust instead of panko, and then as I fiddled around in the kitchen I ended up with a pistachio paste that just didn’t work as a crust. Lo and behold, we have Pistachio-Stuffed Chicken Breasts, or if you want to be fancy you can call it Pistachio Chicken Rollatini.
The chicken came out really tender and juicy and the pistachio paste sort of melted inside, which led to a nice creaminess when you cut into the chicken breast. The best part: it was relatively quick to make – less than 10 minutes of prep and about 25-30 minutes to cook.
I served it with those planned side dishes, which are always a favorite in my house. Roasted green beans with crispy garlic and well-done cubes of sweet potato. And to add some color and additional flavor to the chicken, I roasted the remaining cherry tomatoes I had sitting on my kitchen counter.
The end result: a balanced plate that will keep the whole family fueled this back to school season.
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Pistachio-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with creamy pistachio mustard with a hint of lemon are an easy weeknight meal that will please the whole family. This gluten-free and dairy-free recipe is also elegant enough for guests. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables and you have a satiating balanced meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shelled unsalted pistachios
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 pounds flattened chicken breast, about 6 total
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9x11 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a small food processor, pulse pistachios, garlic, mustard, and 1/4 cup lemon juice until it forms a paste.
- Spread pistachio mustard on one side of flattened chicken breast; roll up.
- Rub rolled chicken breasts with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle remaining tablespoon of lemon juice over the tops of the chicken breasts.
- Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5-10 minutes more until chicken is cooked through.
Notes
To make the roasted tomatoes to serve over the chicken, toss halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet, making sure they are not overlapping. Roast at 400 degrees until the tomatoes are soft and caramelized.
I really need to try my hand at stuffing chicken! Never done that before!
You won’t believe how easy it is to stuff boneless chicken breasts! You have to try it!
this is one fancy looking meal yet so simple. i have not tried pistachio and chicken together but it sounds delicious..
Thanks Dixya, it really is so simple! I love pistachios, so in my mind they go with everything! Hope you like it!
Oh, I happen to have recently acquired a ton of pistachios- this is perfect! And such a lovely, colorful plate as well!
lucky you!! Hope you enjoy!
It’s been a while since I stuffed my bird! I definitely need to try this pistachio-filling! sounds delish ;).
haha…well this is certainly easier than stuffing a whole bird! Hope you like it!
I love pistachios! This sounds amazing!
Thanks Rachel! Hope you try it soon!
I bet pistachios add such an amazing flavor here! YUM!
Thanks Laura! They really do! Let me know if you give it a try!
Yes. Please! Love that this is paleo-friendly. We will definitely be trying this one.
Thanks Kerri! Can’t wait to hear how you like it!
This looks so full of flavor and a great dinner! I wish my youngest and I ate chicken sometimes but as much as I’ve tried to add it back in it doesn’t work for either of us. 🙁
I did email this to my parents as I think they’d love it.
Thanks Sarah! Let me know if your parents try it. Sorry it’s not something that will work for your daughter and you. I can’t remember if you eat fish, but if you do, I think this would be great in a white fish or even salmon!
I love that you are so honest about the goal for panko pistachio then it turned into a paste so it’s now stuffed! Brilliant idea and the work of a true chef :)…. nice work lady!
Thanks Liz! I think it’s important to show everyday people that even those of us who do this for a living don’t always get it right on the first try! One of these days I’ll get around to making the panko pistachio crust though 😉
I LOVE pistachios! Great idea to use it as a filling!
Thanks so much Jenn!
I love the combination of mustard and pistachios! I’m going to have to give this a try for dinner one this this week!
Thanks Emily! I just made it again last night and am having leftovers for lunch today. It’s so simple and yummy. Let me know if you try it!
I just love pistachios! They are so nutritious and tasty! This is a fun way to use them.
I agree Julie! Thanks. It would be good with fish too 😉
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