Easy Pesto Chicken Recipe
Juicy chicken breasts smothered in vibrant basil pesto with melted mozzarella cheese – a simple yet impressive dish that’s ready in 30 minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop/Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional garnish)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
- Spread 1-2 tbsp pesto over each chicken breast. Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Add tomato halves to skillet during last 5 minutes of baking.
- Garnish with fresh basil and drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor: Mix 1 tbsp grated Parmesan into pesto before spreading.
- Meal prep tip: Slice cooked chicken for pesto chicken sandwiches or salads.
- Alternative cooking: Grill chicken instead of baking (add cheese after removing from grill).
- Low-carb option: Serve with zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/easy-pesto-chicken-recipe/
