The crispness of fall is all around us. This past Monday, the Sisters rose early to put our gardens to bed for the winter. It’s always bittersweet for me, as working in the earth, getting my hands dirty and seeing the fruits of our labor and God’s creative act are moments that I treasure. We decided not to put our “chef garden” to bed, as the tomatoes, chard, beets and kale are still growing, and a late crop of peas is sprouting their heads above the earth. So, as a tribute to summer, I wanted to share this wonderful recipe with you. You can use any vegetables for grilling, so don’t feel limited by the ingredients here. If you’re anything like me, your grill stays outside until it snows! Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and enjoy.
SERVINGS6servingsCHANGE SERVING SIZEservings |
COOK TIME45mins |
PREP TIME15mins |
READY IN1hr |
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 Tbsp pesto (homemade or store bought)
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- lime juice from 1/2 lime
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp honey
- kosher salt
- 1 lb asparagus (1 bunch), tough ends removed
- 2 medium zucchini sliced 1/4-inch thick lengthwise
- 1 bell pepper red or yellow, seeded and sliced into 1" strips top to bottom
- 1 eggplant if desired - cut into 1/4" strips lengthwise or across
- 3 carrots cut into half lengthwise
- 1 onion cut into 1/2" circles
- 1 sweet potato cut into 1/4" rings
Instructions
- Marinate chicken with pesto, garlic, red pepper flakes, lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- Mix oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl.
- Heat a grill over medium-high, be sure grates are clean and well oiled to prevent sticking.
- Brush oil on each side of the vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Put vegetables on 1 large grill tray or directly on grill, and cook, turning constantly until the vegetables are cooked and golden, about 6 to 10 minutes. Set aside on a dish.
- Put the chicken on the grill and cook about 4 to 5 minutes on each side until grill marks appear and the chicken is cooked through. If you prefer to finish them off in the oven, I suggest a grill pan or cast iron skillet - cook until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
- Transfer the chicken to a platter with the vegetables and pour the balsamic dressing over everything and serve.
