Roasted Chicken Breasts with a Walnut Chimichurri Sauce and Pomegranate

DESCRIPTION

Celebrate the holiday season and impress guests with perfectly roasted chicken breasts topped with a festive walnut chimichurri sauce and pomegranate arils.

Total Time
40 Mins
Serves
6
Serving Size
1/16 of recipe
Meal

Total Time

Prep Time
5 Mins
Cook Time
35 Mins
Total Time
40 Mins

Nutrition

Calories
490 cal
Total Fat
36 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
10 g
Cholesterol
94 mg
Sodium
234 mg
Carbohydrates
7 g
Dietary Fiber
1 g
Total Sugars
5 g
Added Sugars
0 g
Protein
37 g
Vitamin D
0 mcg
Calcium
4 mg
Iron
11 mg
Potassium
453 mg

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 pounds chicken breast with rib meat
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

chimichurri sauce:

  • 1/2 cup California walnuts, toasted*
  • 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley leaves, loosely packed
  • 1 cup cilantro (1 small bunch, leaves and stems), packed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
  • 1/2 shallot
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

assembly:

  • 1/4 cup California walnuts, toasted* and chopped
  • 1 pomegranate, arils reserved and white pith discarded

Preparation

CHICKEN:

1.  Preheat oven to 450°F. Drizzle 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil into a medium casserole dish or oven-safe skillet. Place chicken in dish and sprinkle with  salt and pepper. Flip chicken with tongs and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and remaining salt and pepper.

2.  Place chicken in oven and roast until internal temperature reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F, as measured with a food thermometer (~20-30 minutes). Cooking time will vary, depending on thickness of the chicken breast. Slice chicken and place on a serving platter.

CHIMICHURRI SAUCE:

1.  While the chicken is cooking, add walnuts, parsley, cilantro, oregano, shallot, garlic, salt and pepper to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped, turning off the food processor and scraping the sides with a rubber spoon as needed.

2. Stream in red wine vinegar, then extra virgin olive oil. Pulse a few more times, then transfer to a small bowl. Sauce can also be made a day ahead of time and stored covered in the refrigerator, which also allows the flavors to meld, resulting in a more flavorful sauce.

ASSEMBLY:

1.  Drizzle sliced chicken with chimichurri sauce, then top with toasted walnuts and pomegranate arils. Serve additional chimichurri sauce on the side. Serve chicken with roasted root vegetables and farro or quinoa.

*Note: toast walnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer at 350°F for 8 minutes.