Apricot Basil Chicken with Grilled Vegetables
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this delightful Apricot Basil Chicken. Inspired by a dish from Olive Garden, this recipe brings together juicy grilled chicken breasts topped with a luscious apricot sauce infused with garlic and Italian herbs. Paired with vibrant, lightly sautéed asparagus and broccoli, this dish not only satisfies your palate but also aligns with healthy eating goals. Perfect as a light main course, serve this alongside a fresh salad and warm breadsticks for an unforgettable meal that’s both delicious and low in calories.
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken stock
1/2 cup (none)
apricot preserves
1/2 cup (none)
salt
to taste (none)
roma tomatoes
1/2 lb (cut into 1-inch pieces)
basil leaves
6 (cut into half pieces)
garlic pepper seasoning
3 teaspoons (none)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (none)
asparagus
1 bunch (remove bottom inch of stems)
broccoli florets
1/2 lb (none)
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (none)
fresh parsley
to garnish (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a small mixing bowl, combine the garlic pepper seasoning and set aside.
2
In a saucepan, blend the chicken stock and apricot preserves. Add salt and pepper to taste, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat and set aside.
3
In another bowl, mix the diced roma tomatoes, basil leaves, and a pinch of salt. Set this tomato mixture aside.
4
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the asparagus and broccoli for 1 minute. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
5
In a sauté pan, heat one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the blanched asparagus, broccoli, and tomato mixture, heating them through but avoiding overcooking.
6
Preheat a grill or grill pan. Season the chicken breasts with salt and garlic pepper seasoning, then grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), about 6-7 minutes on each side depending on thickness.
7
Once cooked, arrange the grilled chicken on a serving platter alongside the warmed vegetables. Sprinkle the garlic herb seasoning over the broccoli and pour the tomato mixture over the vegetables.
8
Generously pour the apricot sauce over the chicken breasts and finish with a garnish of chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
10g
Carbs
12g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Apricot Basil Chicken?
Apricot Basil Chicken is a light main course featuring grilled chicken breasts topped with a sweet and savory sauce made from apricot preserves and chicken stock, inspired by a dish from Olive Garden.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a popular dish served at Olive Garden restaurants.
How many calories are in this dish?
This dish contains approximately 120 calories per serving.
What vegetables are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a bunch of asparagus, half a pound of broccoli florets, and half a pound of roma tomatoes.
How do I prepare the apricot sauce?
Blend 1/2 cup of chicken stock with 1/2 cup of apricot preserves in a saucepan, add salt and pepper to taste, and bring the mixture to a boil.
What is the recommended internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken breasts should be grilled until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
How long should I blanch the asparagus and broccoli?
The asparagus and broccoli should be blanched in boiling salted water for 1 minute.
Why do I need an ice bath for the vegetables?
The ice bath is used to immediately stop the cooking process after blanching, ensuring the vegetables stay vibrant and crisp.
How do I prepare the roma tomatoes?
The roma tomatoes should be cut into 1-inch pieces and mixed with basil and salt.
What kind of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifies four boneless skinless chicken breasts.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 3 grams of fat per serving.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
Each serving contains 12 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in this meal?
There are 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables.
How should the basil be prepared?
The recipe calls for six basil leaves to be cut into half pieces.
What garnish is used for the final dish?
The dish is finished with a garnish of chopped fresh parsley.
What side dishes are suggested for this meal?
It is recommended to serve this chicken alongside a fresh salad and warm breadsticks.
How should the asparagus be prepped?
Before cooking, you should remove the bottom inch of the asparagus stems.
What seasonings are needed for the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with salt and a garlic pepper seasoning.
How long do I grill the chicken breasts?
Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 12 ingredients used in this recipe.
Does this recipe include Italian seasoning?
Yes, the recipe uses one teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
Can I use a grill pan instead of an outdoor grill?
Yes, the instructions state you can use either a grill or a grill pan.
When do I add the garlic pepper seasoning?
The seasoning is combined in the first step and then used to season the chicken before grilling.
How do I assemble the final platter?
Arrange the chicken next to the warmed vegetables, sprinkle garlic herb seasoning over the broccoli, and pour the tomato mixture over the vegetables.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-calorie diet?
Yes, with only 120 calories per serving, it is described as a healthy and low-calorie option.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine the garlic pepper seasoning in a small mixing bowl.
How is the tomato mixture prepared?
In a bowl, mix diced roma tomatoes, basil leaves, and a pinch of salt.
When is the apricot sauce added?
The apricot sauce is generously poured over the grilled chicken breasts just before serving.
What is the texture of the vegetables in this dish?
The vegetables are lightly sautéed to be heated through while avoiding overcooking, maintaining a vibrant and crisp texture.