Basil Pesto Chicken with Barley

Barley and basil pesto (a blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil) make this an aromatic, flavorful, and hearty Italian dish.

Prep Time 
Cook Time 
Total Time 
Servings 
4

Ingredients 

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 to 6 (24 ounces) Gold'n Plump® Bone-In Chicken Thighs
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/4 cup purchased basil pesto, divided
2 3/4 cups water
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking barley
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions 

Heat oil in large sauté pan over medium heat. Add chicken; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook chicken for 12 to 14 minutes on each side or until lightly browned and thoroughly cooked. Spread chicken with 2 tablespoons of pesto.

Use tongs to transfer chicken to plate; cover to keep warm.

Remove all but 1 tablespoon of drippings from pan.

Increase heat to high; add water and bring to a boil. Stir in barley. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until barley is tender. Remove from heat; let stand for about 5 minutes or until water is absorbed.

Stir remaining 2 tablespoons pesto, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper into barley.

To serve, spoon barley onto individual plates and top with chicken. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon Parmesan.

Tips 

Basil pesto is available in tubes and jars in most supermarkets.

 

Variations 

Nutritional information may change when substituting your chicken product. If you choose to substitute frozen chicken for this recipe, it's best to thaw before cooking.

Primary Product 
Cuisine 
  • Serving Size
    • Servings 
      4
  • PER SERVING
    • Calories 
      630
    • Calories from Fat 
      53%
    • Total Fat 
      38g
    • Saturated Fat 
      10g
    • Total Carbohydrate 
      42g
    • Protein 
      31g
    • Cholesterol 
      143mg
    • Dietary Fiber 
      6g
    • Sodium 
      566mg
  • DAILY VALUE
    • Vitamin A 
      3%
    • Calcium 
      11%
    • Iron 
      6%
  • DIETARY EXCHANGES
    • Starch/Bread 
      3
    • Fat 
      3.5
    • Med-Fat Meat 
      3.5
    • Recipes calling out meat in the Dietary Exchanges category were analyzed with information prior to 2014 updates. Recipes calling out protein were analyzed with the new information after 2014.
Cooking Method 
Recipe Source