Vidalia Onion Pesto Chicken uses a uniquely southern flavor combination for a pesto that is mild and sweet for a healthy and easy 30 minute weeknight dinner. Kids love the sweet flavor that comes from sautéing the already sweet onions to bring out even more sweet flavor! Adults/Parents will love the simplicity and healthful benefits of this dish.
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I got the idea for a vidalia onion pesto from a Christmas present that I received this year. I got a couple of gourmet seasonings and jarred pestos from someone at work. One of which was vidalia onion pesto. I loved the idea and when we tried it, we really enjoyed it!!
I thought, I could totally recreate this for a fraction of the price! Vidalia onions are in surplus down here in Southern Georgia! I could make large batches of this pesto when vidalias are in season and store in the freezer to have all year-long!
Vidalia Onion Pesto Chicken is sure to become a staple at your house, as it has at mine. Serve it over brown rice, quinoa or whole grain pasta and pair with a green salad or vegetable. Quick and easy…done in 30 minutes (even quicker if you make the pesto ahead of time) and health and tasty to please everyone!
Here is the recipe for Vidalia Onion Pesto Chicken:
- Up to 5 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 Vidalia Onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ⅓ cup warmed chicken or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup of your favorite nut (I used pecan because we always have them on-hand)
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Heat a large saute pan or skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tbsp. olive oil, onions and garlic.
- Saute onion mixture for 10 minutes or so, until onions are soft and caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Add onions mixture, pecans, parmesan cheese and broth to a high-speed blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Stream olive oil, while food processor or blender is on, to reach the desired consistency
- You could freeze in portioned containers at this point, if desired.
- Heat the pan used to caramelize the onions, back under medium-high heat. Add chicken. Brown chicken on all sides and cook until no pink remains.
- Add ½ cup of vidalia onion pesto to cooked chicken.
- Serve over brown rice, quinoa or whole grain pasta.
Love the flavors in this dish.
A 30 minute meal that looks as good as this definitely gets my vote!
I love a good chicken and rice meal.
Me too Stephanie! Thanks 🙂
This looks like a great dinner! Yum!
It was!! Thanks Melanie 🙂
That looks amazing and so healthy too! Can’t get enough of chicken and rice. Looks like a wonderful dinner meal I’m going to have to add to our grocery list.
My husband would definitely love this!
This sounds amazing! Im always looking for new ways to cook up some chicken
This recipe looks so good! I can’t wait to try these flavors!
This looks like a great dinner! Thanks for sharing!
This looks really good. I love things made with pesto.
This looks so good…we love Vidalia onions! How clever to make them into a pesto!
Becky, this is fantastic. I love everything in here. I have never even thought about making a pesto with onions and now I must do it asap.
This sounds like a great combination of flavors!
This sounds amazing! I love Pesto!
This sounds delicious, love the flavor combinations!
Thanks Jillian 🙂
Totally my kind of meal! It looks so juicy and tasty!
I love Vidalia onions!! They are so mild and delicious! I haven’t had one in a long time, but now I’m going to have to go buy some ;o) Pinned this to try.
Thanks Emily! They’re my favorite!!
This dish looks delicious. What a tasty combination of flavors!
Thanks Aimee!
This looks so delicious and perfect for dinner!
Thanks Emily 🙂
This looks like the perfect dinner. Easy, yummy, healthy. What more could anyone want?
Thanks so much Debbie!
This looks like the perfect dinner!
Thanks Yvonne!!
That delicious Pesto would add flavor to so many dishes, not just this chicken (although that looks great!)
I totally agree Kristen!! Thanks 🙂
I love the idea of Vidalia Onion Pesto!! I am definitely going to try this! It sounds delicious 🙂
Thanks Dini! It is really quite delish!!
Onion and pesto, yes, please!
This looks amazing!
I love quinoa! I make it 3-4 times a month! I often make pilafs or quinoa muffins (I’ve made pizza-flavoured, creamy mushroom, and actually broccoli and cheddar) but I’ve never thought to do a quinoa bake! It looks delicious!