Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen and struggling to eat healthy during busy weekdays? Get ready to revolutionize your meal prep with these mouthwatering Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken Meal Prep Bowls that are not just incredibly delicious, but also ridiculously easy to make! In just 40 minutes, you'll create four restaurant-quality meals that will have your taste buds dancing and your meal prep game reaching pro-level status. Imagine tender, pesto-glazed chicken, roasted vibrant vegetables, and fluffy quinoa - all prepared on a single sheet pan with minimal cleanup!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Spread the chicken breasts evenly on one side of the sheet pan. Brush each chicken breast with a generous amount of pesto sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
- On the other side of the sheet pan, distribute cherry tomatoes and broccoli florets. Drizzle the vegetables with a small amount of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- While the chicken and vegetables are roasting, prepare the quinoa according to package instructions. If using pre-cooked quinoa, warm it slightly.
- Once cooking is complete, remove the sheet pan from the oven and let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing.
- Slice the chicken breasts into strips or cubes. Divide the cooked quinoa among four meal prep containers.
- Top each container with roasted chicken, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli. Drizzle additional pesto sauce over the top if desired.
- Allow meals to cool completely before sealing and refrigerating. These meal prep bowls will stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality pesto for the most vibrant flavor. Homemade is best, but a good store-bought version works perfectly.
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect browning and crispy edges.
- Choose evenly sized chicken breasts for consistent cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken is cooked to exactly 165°F (74°C).
- For extra flavor, try adding pine nuts or fresh basil leaves before serving.
- If meal prepping for the week, wait until chicken is completely cool before storing to prevent soggy containers.
- For best texture, keep dressing/extra pesto separate and add just before eating to maintain crispness.
- These bowls can be frozen for up to 2 months - just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 110mg
