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    Home » Entrees » Poultry Recipes

    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto Recipe

    Published: Jul 20, 2015 · Modified: Mar 31, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 19 Comments

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    These grilled chicken kabobs are fantastic for summertime dinners, but the real star of the show is the red pepper cilantro pesto!
    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto Recipe...204 calories and 6 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com #healthy

    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto Recipe...204 calories and 6 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com #healthy

    There are some recipes that stand the test of time and rightly earn the devotion of my family. This red pepper cilantro pesto nestles right into the middle of that category. Strangely enough, never once have I served this pesto as a pasta sauce, even though "pesto pasta", with a basil version, is one of our go-to weeknight and "first night of camping" meals, as it's great either cold or hot.

    However, we have veered from pasta as the delivery method for this particular pesto, though I'm sure it would be fantastic. Instead, we serve it with fish, as a spread on sandwiches or dolloped on steak. And now it takes on a new form as a marinade and dipping sauce for chicken kabobs.

    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto Recipe...204 calories and 6 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com #healthy

    I first stumbled on a version of this pesto years ago when I was flipping through one of my issues of Food & Wine Magazine. Bobby Flay, who was featured in the magazine, used it as a sauce for fish. I made a couple of changes and spooned the sauce over some grilled mahi mahi fillets. Begin the family obsession.

    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto Recipe...204 calories and 6 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com #healthy

    The method for preparing the pesto is dead simple - toss some roasted red peppers (see How to: Roast a Bell Pepper), slivered almonds, cilantro and a few other ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and blend it together to form a sauce that is smooth and flavorful, with an underlying nuttiness and bite of garlic.

    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto Recipe...204 calories and 6 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com #healthy

    While marinating the chicken in the pesto impart a good amount of flavor, these kabobs just aren't the same without an extra dollop of the sauce for dipping. My PSA for today: Don't skimp on the pesto!

    Other healthy grilled chicken recipes:

    Healthy Grilled Chicken Recipes | cookincanuck.com
    Cookin' Canuck's Grilled Maple Dijon & Chili Chicken Drumsticks
    Cookin' Canuck's Smoky Grilled Barbecue Chicken Pizza
    Maebells' Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken
    Recipe Tin Eats' Italian Marinated Grilled Chicken with Zucchini
    Real Food Whole Life's Lemony Chicken Skewers with Greek Chopped Salad

    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto Recipe

    These grilled chicken kabobs are fantastic for summertime dinners, but the real star of the show is the red pepper cilantro pesto!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrees
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: Grilling Recipes
    Prep Time: 55 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 213kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 2 roasted bell peppers chopped (see How to: Roast a Bell Pepper)
    • 3 tablespoons slivered almonds toasted
    • 1 garlic clove chopped
    • ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
    • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 ½ teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
    • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 6 green onions white parts only, cut into 1-inch pieces
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Soak 6 wooden skewers in warm water for 30 minutes. Alternatively, use metal skewers (no soaking required).
    • In the bowl of a food processor, combine the roasted red bell peppers, slivered almonds, garlic, cilantro, Parmesan cheese, and lime juice. Pulse until combined.
    • While the food processor is running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Place the chicken in a medium bowl and toss with half of the pesto. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
    • Preheat the grill to medium heat and lightly brush the grill with oil.
    • Thread the chicken onto the skewers, alternating with the green onion pieces.
    • Grill until the chicken is just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
    • Serve with the remaining pesto.

    Notes

    Weight Watchers Points: 6 (Points+), 5 (Old Points)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Kabob + 2 tablespoon Pesto | Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 394mg | Potassium: 366mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 9.7mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!

    543Shares
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Sagar Sahay

        July 24, 2021 at 8:17 am

        5 stars
        I made it yesterday after my friend shared this post with me. I made it today and my entire family went ga ga over the recipe.

        Reply
      2. Laura NN

        August 11, 2015 at 7:36 am

        We made this last night and OMG, that sauce is so good! There's a little bit of the pesto leftover and I can't wait to spread it on my sandwich today.

        Reply
      3. Nutmeg Nanny

        July 27, 2015 at 6:52 am

        I would NEVER skimp on the pesto 🙂 This pesto makes a great topped for such a classic summertime dish. I love grilling and I love red peppers so I'm set with this recipe!

        Reply
      4. Colleen (Souffle Bombay)

        July 25, 2015 at 7:58 pm

        OOOOH, another smart & different dish Dara! Lovely!

        Reply
      5. Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)

        July 25, 2015 at 6:54 am

        Those look and sound incredible. And I agree -- never skimp on the pesto!

        Reply
      6. Kim Beaulieu

        July 23, 2015 at 2:15 am

        I love this recipe, I'm a sucker for red peppers. This has to happen asap.

        Reply
      7. Rose | The Clean Dish

        July 22, 2015 at 9:58 am

        I would love to try this pesto! I'm always on the lookout for new pesto recipes. Food & Wine has some good features! I'll probably go with the fish but these chicken kabobs look fantastic!

        Reply
      8. Aggie | Aggie's Kitchen

        July 22, 2015 at 9:07 am

        It's been too long since I've grilled kabobs. That pesto sounds delicious Dara, loving this recipe!

        Reply
      9. Renee - Kudos Kitchen

        July 22, 2015 at 8:19 am

        That pesto sounds incredibly flavorful! At first I thought those scallions was lemon grass pieces which I've never used before. I do love scallions though.

        Reply
      10. Paula-bell'alimento

        July 21, 2015 at 2:51 pm

        Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto? Girl. You Nailed It.

        Reply
      11. Angie | Big Bear's Wife

        July 21, 2015 at 11:27 am

        Oh why can't my chicken kabobs ever look this good?! These would just be fantastic for grilling out this weekend!

        Reply
      12. Heather | girlichef

        July 21, 2015 at 7:18 am

        I would NEVER skimp on this pesto! I do love the sound of it on fish, but these chicken kabobs look nothing short of deeeelicious - you can just see the flavor.

        Reply
      13. Martha @ A Family Feast

        July 20, 2015 at 6:37 pm

        That pesto sounds incredible! What a delicious way to change up grilled chicken!

        Reply
      14. Lora @cakeduchess

        July 20, 2015 at 12:08 pm

        What a fabulous pesto idea. I bet it is fantastic on fish! Your kabobs are tempting me so and they are so perfect for summer grilling season!!

        Reply
      15. Tasha @thatssoyummy

        July 20, 2015 at 11:19 am

        Absolutely love these kabobs, make them during the summer all the time and these are just what my family would eat!!!

        Reply
      16. foodwanderings

        July 20, 2015 at 10:52 am

        Holy moly, gorgeous pesto and chicken skewers. Love how your took that extra step to roast and peel the bell peppers. Delicious!

        Reply
      17. Stephanie

        July 20, 2015 at 10:26 am

        We love kabobs in the summer. This pesto sounds terrific!

        Reply
      18. Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.

        July 20, 2015 at 9:31 am

        This looks wonderful Dara! This recipe is going on my menu this week!

        Reply
      19. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl

        July 20, 2015 at 7:09 am

        Ooooo I am loving all of these bold flavors!! Love the almond addition too - yes please!!

        Reply

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