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15-minute chicken cauliflower rice with pesto served in a bowl

15-Minute Chicken Cauliflower Rice with Pesto

A quick and flavorful dish combining chicken, cauliflower rice, and fresh basil pesto, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cauliflower Rice
  • 1 medium head cauliflower (or 4 cups pre-riced cauliflower)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Pesto
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced chicken, sprinkling generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
Preparing the Cauliflower Rice
  1. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the cauliflower rice by chopping it into florets and pulsing them in a food processor until it resembles rice.
  2. Alternatively, use pre-riced cauliflower for convenience.
Cooking the Cauliflower Rice
  1. Once the chicken is ready, transfer it to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  2. In the same skillet, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil, and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the cauliflower rice to the skillet, stirring well.
  4. Cook for about 5 minutes until the cauliflower is tender, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.
Making the Pesto
  1. Prepare the pesto by adding basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth, adjusting seasoning to taste.
Combining Everything
  1. Combine the chicken with the cooked cauliflower rice in the skillet, adding the freshly made pesto.
  2. Toss everything together until coated evenly and heated through for an additional minute.
Serving
  1. Serve hot, garnished with extra basil or pine nuts if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice over the finished dish. Make it vegetarian by substituting chicken with chickpeas or mushrooms. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for a quick meal later.