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Overhead view of finished bowl set atop a checkered towel.

Chicken Pesto Parm Bowl (Sweetgreen Dupe)


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  • Author: Lexi
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings

Description

We love sweetgreen's Chicken Pesto Parm Bowl, but we made a few updates to make it even better at home! Our version combines crispy panko crusted chicken, spicy roasted broccoli, quinoa, cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan, and two tasty vinaigrettes served over a bed of spinach. This is a great meal prep recipe that you won't get sick of! 


Ingredients

Spicy Broccoli:

  • 3/4 pound broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon olive or sunflower oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon umami seasoning (or salt to taste) 

Breaded Chicken:

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 whole eggs + 1 tablespoon of water
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Oil for pan frying

Pesto Vinaigrette (optional – you can also use store-bought pesto):

  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup fresh flat leaf parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette:

  • 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup of oil from a jar sun dried tomatoes (or regular olive oil) 
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup water

Assembly:

  • 1 cup dry quinoa, cooked according to package directions
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup shaved parmesan


Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350˚F / 175˚C. Cook quinoa according to package directions and set aside to cool. 
  2. Toss broccoli florets in oil, red pepper flakes and umami seasoning or salt until well coated. Transfer to a large sheet pan and roast for 30-40 minutes, until fork tender and lightly charred. 
  3. Make the chicken: Add 1/4-inch of oil to a heavy-bottomed pan and turn the heat to medium low. Heat the oil to about 350˚F.
  4. Use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken breasts thinly, until they're about 1/4-inch thick. Season each chicken breast on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. 
  5. Whisk together salt, pepper and flour, and transfer to a plate. In another shallow bowl, combine eggs and water and whisk. In a third shallow bowl, whisk together the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
  6. Using a pair of tongs, coat the cutlet with a thin dusting of flour on both sides. Next, coat both sides in egg, letting the excess run off, and then coat both sides in the bread crumb mixture, pressing the crumbs into the cutlet to make sure it's completely covered.
  7. Once the oil is heated, pan fry the cutlets for 5-8 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Keep the oil around 350˚F so they cook evenly. Remove the chicken from the pan and let cool before dicing into 1/2-inch cubes.
  8. Make the vinaigrettes: Both vinaigrettes are made in a blender. Add all ingredients for the sun dried tomato vinaigrette to a blender and blend until smooth. Rinse your blender, then repeat for the pesto vinaigrette. 
  9. Assemble your bowls: Start with a base of spinach, then top with cooked quinoa, spicy broccoli, crispy chicken, shaved parmesan and both vinaigrettes. Enjoy! 

Notes

Storage: Each component should keep in the refrigerator for 3-5 days after cooking. This dish is totally fine served cold, but we like to reheat the chicken by putting it on a sheet pan in the oven for 10-15 minutes until it's heated through.

To cut down on prep, feel free to skip one of the vinaigrettes. If you decide to make just one of them, double the quantities so you have enough. 

Another way to cut down on prep is to use store-bought pesto instead of the homemade pesto vinaigrette!

If you would prefer to bake the cutlets instead of pan frying: Follow all of the steps for coating the chicken, then bake in a 425˚F oven for about 22-25 minutes, until they are cooked through. They won't be as crispy/golden brown, but will still taste good. 

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 678
  • Sugar: 6.8 g
  • Sodium: 859.8 mg
  • Fat: 37 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46.3 g
  • Fiber: 5.8 g
  • Protein: 41.6 g