Pesto Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe

Chicken with Pesto and Alfredo Rice

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray
• 1 cups water, divided
• 1 (6.9 ounce) package chicken-flavored rice and vermicelli mix
• 4 tablespoons basil pesto, divided
• 1 pound chicken tenderloins, tendons removed and cut into smaller pieces (optional)
• cup Alfredo sauce
• cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Spray an 8-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cups of water, rice, seasoning packets, and 2 tablespoons of basil pesto. Mix well and pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
3. In a shallow dish, toss the chicken tenders with the remaining 2 tablespoons of pesto until evenly coated. Arrange the chicken on top of the rice mixture in the casserole dish.
4. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer; it should read at least 165F (74C).
5. While the chicken is baking, mix the remaining cup of water with the Alfredo sauce in a small bowl.
6. Once the chicken has finished baking, remove the casserole from the oven and pour the Alfredo sauce over the chicken. Stir gently to combine the sauce with the rice and chicken.
7. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top and return the dish to the oven. Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
8. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 443
• Total Fat: 16g (21% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 5g (23% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 76mg (25% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 1117mg (49% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrates: 40g (15% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 2g (7% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 34g (69% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 1mg (2% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 229mg (18% Daily Value)
• Iron: 3mg (16% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 294mg (6% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.