This delightful dish combines the smoky flavors of grilled chicken with a creamy and aromatic basil white bean purée. It's a perfect blend of protein and fresh herbs, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal for any occasion.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common, you might need to pay attention to the white beans and fresh basil leaves. Ensure you get cooked white beans or cook them yourself beforehand. Fresh basil leaves can usually be found in the produce section of your supermarket.
Ingredients for Grilled Chicken with Basil White Bean Purée
Chicken breasts: The main protein of the dish, providing a lean and flavorful base.
White beans: These add creaminess and a subtle nutty flavor to the purée.
Fresh basil leaves: These provide a fresh, aromatic herbaceous note to the purée.
Minced garlic: Adds a pungent and savory depth to the purée.
Olive oil: Helps blend the purée smoothly and adds a rich flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of both the chicken and the purée.
Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When grilling chicken breasts, ensure they are of even thickness for uniform cooking. If needed, use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness. This helps prevent overcooking on the edges while the center remains undercooked. Additionally, let the grilled chicken rest for a few minutes after removing it from the grill to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful dish. For the basil white bean purée, if the mixture is too thick, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and can be grilled in the same way as chicken breasts.
Chicken breasts - Substitute with tofu: For a vegetarian option, firm tofu can be marinated and grilled to provide a similar protein source.
White beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a creamy texture and mild flavor, making them a great substitute for white beans.
White beans - Substitute with chickpeas: Chickpeas can provide a slightly different texture but still offer a hearty and nutritious base for the purée.
Fresh basil leaves - Substitute with fresh spinach leaves: Spinach can provide a similar green color and a mild flavor that complements the dish.
Fresh basil leaves - Substitute with fresh parsley: Parsley offers a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can work well in place of basil.
Minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, though it has a slightly different intensity and flavor profile.
Minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can add depth to the purée.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for grilling.
Olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for its high smoke point, though it will add a slight coconut flavor.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though it will also add a bit of liquid to the dish.
Pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat and spice, providing a different but interesting flavor profile.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the grilled chicken to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the chicken soggy.
Place the grilled chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help maintain its moisture and flavor.
Store the basil white bean purée separately in an airtight container. This prevents the chicken from becoming mushy and allows you to reheat each component properly.
For short-term storage, keep the grilled chicken and basil white bean purée in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
If you plan to store the dish for a longer period, consider freezing. Place the grilled chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents the chicken pieces from sticking together.
For the basil white bean purée, portion it into smaller containers or ice cube trays before freezing. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. This allows you to thaw only what you need.
Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen grilled chicken and basil white bean purée can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to use, thaw the grilled chicken and basil white bean purée in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes. Reheat the purée in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
For a quick meal, you can also reheat the grilled chicken in the microwave. Place it on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. The basil white bean purée can be reheated in the microwave as well, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and warm.
To maintain the best texture and flavor, avoid reheating the grilled chicken and basil white bean purée multiple times. Reheat only the portions you plan to consume immediately.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the grilled chicken on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through. For the basil white bean purée, transfer it to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 10-15 minutes.
Stovetop Method: Slice the grilled chicken into smaller pieces for even heating. In a skillet, add a splash of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 5-7 minutes. For the basil white bean purée, place it in a small saucepan, add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to loosen it up, and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warm.
Microwave Method: Place the grilled chicken on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and turning halfway through. For the basil white bean purée, transfer it to a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another damp paper towel, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Sous Vide Method: If you have a sous vide machine, this method ensures the grilled chicken remains juicy. Place the chicken in a vacuum-sealed bag and immerse it in a water bath set to 140°F (60°C) for about 30 minutes. For the basil white bean purée, transfer it to a vacuum-sealed bag or a heat-safe ziplock bag, and immerse it in the same water bath for the last 10 minutes of the chicken's reheating time.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Grill: Used to cook the chicken breasts to perfection, giving them a nice char and smoky flavor.
Tongs: Essential for flipping the chicken breasts on the grill without piercing the meat and losing juices.
Blender: Necessary for blending the white beans, basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper into a smooth purée.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for seasoning the chicken breasts and preparing the garlic.
Chef's knife: Used for mincing the garlic and any other chopping tasks.
Measuring cups: Helps in accurately measuring the white beans and basil leaves.
Measuring spoons: Ensures precise measurement of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Mixing bowl: Handy for holding the white beans and other ingredients before blending.
Serving plate: Used to present the grilled chicken with the basil white bean purée.
Spatula: Useful for transferring the purée from the blender to the serving plate.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-cook the beans: Use canned white beans instead of cooking them from scratch to save time.
Marinate in advance: Season the chicken breasts the night before and store them in the fridge.
Use a food processor: A food processor can blend the basil white bean purée faster than a blender.
Batch grilling: Grill extra chicken breasts to use in other meals throughout the week.
Prep ingredients: Mince the garlic and wash the basil leaves ahead of time.
Grilled Chicken with Basil White Bean Purée
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken breasts
- 2 cups White beans, cooked
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- 2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- 3. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
- 4. While the chicken is grilling, prepare the basil white bean purée. In a blender, combine the white beans, basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- 5. Serve the grilled chicken on a plate with a generous dollop of basil white bean purée.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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