MSG Free Pesto-Walnut Sheet-Pan Chicken with Broccoli & Carrots
Sheet-pan dinners are a weeknight lifesaver, and this one delivers serious flavor without relying on any packaged seasonings, flavor enhancers, or processed shortcuts that can sneak unwanted additives onto your plate. The star of the show is a bright, herbaceous walnut pesto made entirely from scratch — fresh basil, raw walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, and good olive oil blended into a thick, chunky paste that coats the chicken beautifully before it hits the oven. Because every component is whole and unprocessed, you have complete control over exactly what goes into the dish, which is exactly the kind of reassurance that makes home cooking so worthwhile. The carrots go in first to get a head start on caramelizing, then the broccoli and pesto-slicked chicken join the pan for a final roast that leaves the vegetables tender with lightly charred edges and the chicken juicy all the way through. A squeeze of lemon and a handful of torn fresh basil at the end lifts everything and keeps the flavors clean and vibrant. It's the kind of meal that looks and tastes like you put in way more effort than one pan and a food processor actually require.
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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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