I am such a fan of nice, healthy, good looking and most importantly quick to make recipes! Are you the same?! I’m so sure you aretoo and this healthy chicken breast recipe with couscous, pesto and radicchio is the perfect choice. We are so busy, and getting busier by the day. Busy is good as far as I am concerned but hey, nutrition is also important, right?
Yes we love cooking something traditional every now and again but most of the time something quick like this is ideal after a whole day of running around. Also taking this as a work lunch for the next day it’s a brillinat idea!
Simple is beautiful and this is an example of that tasty, simple recipe that you can make in a few minutes.
My kids do like pesto sauce and they will never miss a chance if offered.
I do not buy it but instead, I make a good batch of pesto sauce once a month or every two months and they thoroughly enjoy it every time.
It lasts for a good week or so if kept in a nice glass jar in the fridge.
They particularly like it with chicken or tuna and crudités but see below other delicious recipe ideas.
This is definitely a healthy chicken breast recipe, so quick to put together. Brilliant to making use of any roast chicken leftovers or some ready cooked chicken breast which we can always buy in supermarkets.
I prefer the leftovers truthfully but that’s because I’m a freak when it comes to home cooked food and I like this to be as much as possible cooked by me.
This chicken breast salad recipe with pesto and crudités is an excellent option to take for a picnic, it makes a beautiful next day lunch option for work or put into kids school packed lunch. It’s tasty, healthy and really easy to make. A very nice salad to have on had to grab and have.
I call it a life saviour. It can be made to the night before kept in the fridge next day, bang, lunch for the next day sorted!
Vegetarian option ....
This can easily be a vegetarian option by simply adding no meat to it. Just increase the raw vegetables amount and it’s just beautiful! If you like and eat fish try it as suggested with a can or two of tuna.
Vegan option:
I have made this with white beans to replace the meat and it is fabulous. Here’s a quick recipe for a vegan pesto sauce which would work a treat with this salad.
Quick Vegan pesto sauce recipe:
It takes 10 min to make providing that you have all the ingredients ready so, here we go.
You will need:
1 bunch of fresh basil (2 cups)
Pine nuts - good quality ( 1 cup)
Olive or walnut oil (1/3 cup)
Nutritional yeast (1/2 cup) or vegan Parmesan
Garlic (2-3 cloves) or more
Salt (2/3 -1 teaspoon)
Black Pepper (1 tsp)
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend to a desired texture. There you have a beautiful vegan pesto sauce. You can store this up to a week or so in the refrigerator in an airtight container, preferably a glass container.
If you like this type of salads, here are some more delicious recipes:
A beautiful roast chicken broccolini salad
Why not try this delicious chicken and beef salad
All beautiful recipes but let’s quickly make this gorgeous chicken breast and the giant couscous recipe now, shall we?
Healthy Chicken breast recipe with giant couscous, pesto sauce and radicchio
Ingredients
- 300 g giant couscous
- 300 g chicken breast cooked - I used roasted
- 3 peppers I have used mini pimientos dulce
- 1/2 radicchio
- 2 small red onions
- 3 spring onions
- 4 tbsp homemade pesto sauce
Instructions
- Cook the couscous by following package instructions. Mine cooked in 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, take out a larger bowl, add the shredded chicken breast, chop the red onion, spring onion, radicchio and the peppers.
- Add the cooked giant couscous and the pesto sauce and give it a good old mix. Serve warm or cold. As simple and as quick as this!
Notes
Chicken can be replaced by tuna, shredded beef or some good shredded ham hock. I have tried all of them so give it a go, feel adventurous 😉 .
Beth Neels says
This is a gorgeously colorful chicken dinner! I love all of the veges in it too! Can't wait to try it tonight!
Ramona says
Thank you so much lovely Beth, I am so glad you like the recipe, I am sure you have loved the salad 😉
Kari Heron says
This quite a comprehensive salad as a meal. Love Israeli couscous.
Ramona says
Thank you dear Kari, we do love it too.
Mirlene says
I know, right?! I am a huge fan of healthy beautiful food. Can't wait to try this chicken breast recipe now - it looks amazing!
Ramona says
I agree 100% dear Mirlene, thank you so much! I do hope you will enjoy this gorgeous chicken breast recipe as much as we do 😉
Jacqueline Debono says
This looks like a super summer dish! I have actually never tried giant couscous but really want to. All the other ingredients make a regular appearance on our table, including homemade pesto! Love it as a dip too! Can't wait to try this recipe!
Ramona says
Thank you so much Jacqui, I really hope you will give this dish a try 😉
Sophie says
This recipe has everything that I love. On my list now.
Ramona says
Thank you Sophie, I am super happy to hear you have liked the recipe , I do hope you will try it soon! 😉
Jeannette (Jay Joy) says
Couscous and chicken together is my favorite! I love when foods have awesome colors.
Ramona says
Than you so much Jeannette, I really apreciate your kind feedback.
Stine Mari says
This looks delicious, especially with that homemade pesto sauce! But just wondering, is giant couscous the same as pearl couscous? 🙂
Ramona says
Thank you dear Stine Mari, yes, the ginat couscous is the same as pearl couscous and it is also known as the Israeli couscous over here 😉
Danielle says
Absolutely - healthy, quick and easy recipes save the week! They are perfect for those days when you have not time to cook whatsoever. Fantastic chicken breast and fabulous pesto sauce!
Ramona says
Thank you so much Danielle. I do hope you will enjoy this delish dish very, very soon! 😉
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
I love summer time pesto, and this meal looks so fresh and full of flavor. I love couscous, and this giant variety looks so yummy and great for a summer dinner.
Ramona says
Than you so much, the same here. We enjoy flavorsome dishes and since it does not take much cooking it is even better.
Kelly Anthony says
This will make a perfect lunch to eat on all week. I also love a good, healthy and quick meal especially during our busy summer.
Ramona says
That is absolutely true, Kelly. Summers always tend to get busy over here too. Besides, I do not enjoy cooking so much when it is too hot. Dishes like this are just perfect.
Mahy says
I love how colourful and vibrant this chicken plate looks! Couscous is always a good and easy pair, but my plate never looks this divine! Love it!!
Thanks for sharing
Ramona says
Thank you Mahy, you are very welcome. Thank you for stopping by.
Leslie says
This recipe is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for the vegan and vegetarian options with this as well!
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Leslie, you are most welcome indeed.