It’s heating up out there and that means it’s the perfect time to fire up the grill and make an easy, delicious and nutritious dinner. We’ve created a recipe that does all of that and tastes fantastic. The delicious nutty flavour of the almond pesto combined with the juicy crispness of a grilled whole chicken will make this recipe one you will make again and again. Simple ingredients that are big on taste.
This BBQ Chicken can be made as a spatchcock chicken with almond pesto under the skin or as a condiment to easy grilled chicken pieces. I made this recipe for a dinner with great friends and my boys. (https://ayvnews.com/) I was so excited to spend time chatting with my friends that I didn’t watch the BBQ. Big mistake! The juicy chicken and oil from the pesto can cause flare ups so please keep an eye on the chicken! Unsure how to spatchcock a chicken? Check out this video from Chicken Farmers of Canada.
Almond Pesto
Almond Pesto2 cups curly parsley
1 cup cilantro
1 cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
3/4 tsp salt
Place all ingredients in a food processor and chop/blend until a smooth consistency. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Directions for Grilled Chicken with Almond Pesto
- Clean and wash a whole chicken.
- With kitchen shears cut out the backbone and flatten chicken
- Lift skin gently and spread almond pesto under the skin with your hands
- Line a baking sheet with tinfoil and preheat BBQ to medium temperature
- Place flattened chicken on the top rack with baking sheet underneath to catch drippings (put a bit of water on the pan to avoid burning)
- BBQ chicken breast side down on medium heat for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for another 15 minutes.
- Flip the chicken again and cook 15 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 F.
Growing up in farm country and living amongst so many hard working farmers, eating local, buying fresh produce and meat has always been important to me. It’s the reason I scan through the grocery store to ensure I am buying Canadian products and why I love my local farmers market. I love how easy it is to look for the “Raised by a Canadian Farmer” sticker on Foodland and Sobey’s chicken. In one glance I know it has been raised by a Canadian Chicken Farmer.
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Chicken Farmers of Canada is teaming up with Cityline for your change to win a $5000 Backyard Makeover! Can’t wait to see the before and after photos!
For more recipe ideas and cooking tips, be sure to follow Chicken Farmers of Canada on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Disclosure: I am participating in the Chicken Farmers of Canada campaign managed by SJ Consulting. I received compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.
That looks fantastic! I love cooking chicken with a rub, and that pesto side looks so yummy.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted..Blogger Bash is coming up in NYC July 16-17, 2015 | Buy Tickets Now!
Putting the pesto under the skin was a great idea. When you just season the skin, none of the flavor makes it to the meat.
Dawn recently posted..Movie Date Night at Home Ideas with Gelato
Oh my gosh this looks so good. I’ve never made chicken like this before!
Liz Mays recently posted..Mixed Berry Cream Cheese Waffle Cakes
This is such a great recipe idea, I have never had almond pesto? Sounds good. Thanks for a meal idea for dinner one evening!
Brandy recently posted..Does Facebook Really Matter? What to Remove from Your Page
What a delicious-sounding pesto recipe. I am all in favor of the delicious almonds and the staying power of the sauce – up to 5 days! I can’t wait to try it out.
Ora Lee Gurr recently posted..Thankful Thursdays: Loving the Rain
Yes, the staying power is excellent!
That looks really tasty. I love finding new chicken recipes.
This looks both delicious & healthy! I’ve never tried pesto before.
Cheryl recently posted..German Chocolate Cake Pops
Oh how I love pesto. This would be amazing no doubt. I will have to give this a try. I can’t get my kiddos to love pesto as much as me though so maybe for a date night meal!
Jeanine recently posted..Double Smoothie Bowl
I love a good pesto sauce! It can go with almost any meat!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert recently posted..Brown Sugar Garlic Pork with Carrots & Potatoes
We eat quite a bit of chicken here and LOVE pesto pasta… so I bet we would love this idea. Thanks for the suggestion, always nice to try something new!
I’m sure you will enjoy this dish – so light and full of flavour!
That looks like the perfect recipe to add to my meals. I am working on losing weight and this recipe will be a nice addition.
Beth@FrugalFroggie recently posted..Back to School at Staples
Pesto is a fave. I just had it for the first time about a year ago and I was instantly hooked.
Wow, your chicken looks amazing and moist! I haven’t tried almond and pesto together
Christie recently posted..Family Focus Friday | First Sparklers
This looks so delicious. I love finding new recipes for chicken. I am going to try this one this weekend.
Wow this looks great. I’ve never used almonds to make pesto and I bet the flavors are perfect with this gorgeous chicken! Bookmarking.
Ooh, almond pesto? That sounds like it would be delicious together. Thank you for the recipe!
Ashley – Embracing Homemaking recently posted..30+ Wholesome Kid Snack Ideas
Fresh foods are my favorite! I am going to have to use some herbs from the garden to try this out!
That looks SO yummy!!! I am always looking for new chicken recipes!
Just the look of that tastes delis. Beautiful meal.
Debbie Denny recently posted..Kidnapped in Paradise by Deborah Brown! Review and Giveaway!