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Protein-rich, healthy fats, Mediterranean flavor
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 piece (medium) of Chicken with pesto sauce (150 g) has 278 calories. That works out to 185 calories per 100 g. It contains 3.3 g of carbs, 29.3 g of protein, 16.8 g of fat and 0.8 g of fiber. Its 11.7 mg of B3 covers 73% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 5 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 150 g
278
KCAL / 150G
Carbs
3.3g
· 1% DV
Protein
29.3g
· 59% DV
Fat
16.8g
· 22% DV
Fiber
0.8g
· 3% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 5% · Protein 42% · Fat 53%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 278 kcal | |
| Total fat | 16.8 g | 22% |
| Saturated fat | 3.3 g | 16% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 510 mg | 22% |
| Total carbohydrate | 3.3 g | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.8 g | 3% |
| Protein | 29.3 g | 59% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 150 g | 278 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 185 kcal |
| 1 piece (extra small) | 100 g | 185 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 120 g | 222 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 180 g | 333 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 200 g | 370 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 250 g | 463 kcal |
| 1 piece (extra large) | 250 g | 463 kcal |
| 2 piece (double) | 300 g | 555 kcal |
Calculated from 185 calories per 100 g.
Chicken with pesto sauce is made by cooking chicken pieces until done, then coating them with pesto. Sear the chicken in a pan, lower the heat, and stir in the pesto near the end. This keeps the herbs flavorful and helps prevent the sauce from scorching.
Chicken with pesto sauce pairs well with pasta, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. For a more filling meal, serve it with potatoes or rice. Since pesto is already rich and strongly flavored, lightly seasoned sides let the chicken and sauce stand out.
Yes, you can bake chicken with pesto sauce in the oven. Coat the chicken with some pesto and bake until the thickest part is fully cooked; add a little more pesto after baking for a fresher flavor. Avoid overcooking chicken breast, which can turn dry.
Yes, store-bought pesto works well for chicken with pesto sauce. Stir it before using, since oil can separate in the jar, and taste it before adding extra salt—the cheese and seasonings may already make it salty. Add the pesto toward the end of cooking.
Yes, you can grill chicken for chicken with pesto sauce, but pesto can burn over direct heat. Grill the chicken with a light coating of oil, then brush or spoon on the pesto after cooking. This also preserves more of the sauce’s fresh herb flavor.
Add pesto to chicken with pesto sauce near the end of cooking or after the chicken is done. High heat can darken the herbs and make the sauce taste bitter. If you want pesto as a marinade, reserve a clean portion to serve with the cooked chicken.
Yes, chicken with pesto sauce can be made with a pesto that uses seeds or a different nut instead of pine nuts. Sunflower seeds are one option, while walnuts change the flavor. If avoiding nuts because of an allergy, use a nut-free pesto and prevent cross-contact.
Keep chicken with pesto sauce moist by avoiding overcooking, especially when using chicken breast. Cut pieces to an even thickness and cook them over moderate heat; add the pesto near the end rather than leaving it on high heat for the whole cooking time.
Chicken with pesto sauce keeps for about three days in the refrigerator when placed in a covered container within two hours of cooking. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat, until steaming hot, rather than repeatedly warming and cooling the whole batch.
Chicken with pesto sauce can be a nourishing meal, providing protein from chicken and mostly unsaturated fat from the olive oil in pesto. Pesto also contains cheese and can be rich, so serving the dish with vegetables makes for a more balanced plate.
Vitamins
B3
11.7mg · 73% DV
B6
0.72mg · 42% DV
B5
1.27mg · 25% DV
Vitamin E
2.85mg · 19% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
263mg · 38% DV
Selenium
17µg · 31% DV
Sodium
510mg · 22% DV
Potassium ⭐
480mg · 14% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 278 calories in 1 piece (medium) (150 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Chicken with pesto sauce pairs browned chicken with pesto, the fragrant Italian sauce traditionally made with basil, olive oil, cheese, pine nuts and garlic. Pesto is especially associated with Liguria, though the chicken dish is now made in many different ways beyond Italy.
The chicken is tender and savoury, while the glossy green sauce brings a fresh, herby richness. Serve it with pasta, potatoes or crusty bread, or choose a simple salad or grains for a lighter meal. Chicken makes this a protein-rich main, and the pesto contributes much of its richness. If you prefer a less heavy plate, use a modest spoonful of sauce and add extra vegetables.
High
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
3.3g
MONOUNSATURATED
9.15g
POLYUNSATURATED
3.9g
Omega 6:3 ratio 8.2:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (8.2:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.