Lactose Free Pesto-Walnut Sheet-Pan Chicken with Broccoli & Carrots
Sheet-pan dinners are a weeknight lifesaver, and this one delivers serious flavor without a drop of dairy anywhere in sight. The star is a vibrant walnut pesto made entirely from fresh basil, raw walnuts, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice — no parmesan, no cheese of any kind, yet it's rich, herby, and deeply satisfying. That thick, chunky paste gets pressed right onto the chicken breasts before roasting, so every bite is coated in bold, nutty flavor that caramelizes beautifully in a hot oven. Meanwhile, broccoli florets and carrot coins roast alongside until tender with lightly charred edges, turning a simple vegetable side into something genuinely craveable. The staggered roasting method — carrots going in first, then broccoli and chicken — means everything finishes at the same time without anything getting soggy or overcooked. A squeeze of lemon and a handful of torn fresh basil at the end brighten the whole plate and make it feel restaurant-worthy. Cleanup is minimal, the ingredient list is straightforward, and the result is a complete, colorful meal that proves you don't need cheese to make pesto sing.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the walnut pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup raw walnuts
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the sheet pan
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 medium head)
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch coins
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For serving
- lemon wedges (optional)
- fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line an 18×13-inch rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
- 2
Make the pesto: combine the basil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse 6–8 times until coarsely chopped, then stream in the 1/4 cup olive oil with the motor running and process until a thick, slightly chunky paste forms, about 30 seconds.
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