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    Home » Chicken & Poultry

    Pesto Chicken

    Published: Jan 30, 2022 / Updated: Jan 30, 2022 / 24 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This pesto chicken recipe is cheesy, quick to make, and has irresistible fresh tomatoes in a luxurious pesto sauce. Top it all off with melted mozzarella, and you've got a 30-minute chicken dinner that's special enough for guests.

    Love mozzarella chicken? Try this Mozzarella Mushroom White Wine Chicken or my Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake!

    close-up of a spoon serving a portion of pesto chicken from a cast iron skillet

    Easy pesto chicken

    Sometimes I do come up with chicken recipes without cream. Shocker, right!? But rest assured, this pesto chicken is every bit as delicious with its addictive buttery pesto sauce. Oh, and did I mention the decadent mozzarella topping?

    I have a feeling you'll be making this pesto chicken bake over and over since the skillet goes so seamlessly from the stove to your oven. It's quick and uses simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry right now!

    Ingredients you'll need

    • Chicken - chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise to make four cutlets
    • Garlic powder - we're seasoning the chicken generously to add loads of savory flavor
    • Olive oil and butter - a classic combo for browning the pan fried chicken
    • Garlic - using both garlic powder and garlic cloves amps up the garlicky goodness!
    • Chicken broth - makes the sauce extra tasty. You could use white wine instead.
    • Tomatoes - use your favorite little tomato variety like grape or cherry tomatoes. They give the sauce a bit of sweetness
    • Pesto - the main flavor component for the sauce. The signature pine nuts and basil duo make this classic sauce drool-worthy!
    • Italian seasoning - a versatile herb blend that comes in a jar and normally has thyme and rosemary and other dried Italian herbs. You can find it in the spice aisle at your grocery store.
    • Mozzarella - who can resist all that melted cheese? It pairs perfectly with the pesto sauce and chicken and gets beautifully golden when broiled.
    • Basil - optional, but using fresh basil to top off the dish adds a bright touch
    ingredients for pesto chicken prepped in bowls on a marble surface

    Pro tip

    • Be sure to select a brand of pesto that you really enjoy since the flavor shines in this recipe! My personal favorite is DeLallo's pesto. Try my homemade pesto recipe if you don't want to use one from a jar.

    How to make it

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    seasoning and pan frying chicken cutlets in a skillet for pesto chicken

    Preheat the oven to 400F. Cut the chicken breasts into two smaller cutlets lengthwise, and season them with garlic powder and salt & pepper. Pan fry until golden brown.

    sauteing tomatoes, pesto, and seasoning and adding broth to skillet for pesto chicken

    Transfer chicken to a plate, and add to the skillet the garlic, broth, tomatoes, pesto, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the tomatoes start to lose their firmness and release juice.

    topping chicken with mozzarella cheese in a skillet that's ready for the oven

    Add the chicken back into the skillet, and sprinkle the mozzarella on top of the chicken breasts. Bake for 5 minutes, and then carefully broil it for a few more. Garnish with fresh basil if using it, and serve immediately!

    Substitutions and variations

    • You could easily swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs. I would cook the thighs for a bit longer to help tenderize them. Ideally their internal temperature would reach around 175F as per an instant read meat thermometer. I'd use 6 chicken thighs for this recipe.
    • You can use slices of fresh mozzarella if you prefer it to the shredded kind.
    • Try swapping the mozza for another easy melting cheese like Swiss, Muenster, or Gruyère to change it up.
    • Feel free to chop up a couple of regular fresh tomatoes vs. using grape or cherry tomatoes.
    • If swapping the chicken broth for white wine, use a dry variety such as pinot grigio or a sauvignon blanc.

    Tools for this recipe

    • An oven-safe skillet is one of my most beloved kitchen items! One of my Le Creuset enameled cast iron skillets is pictured. They're easy to clean and gorgeous pieces to have in your cookware collection.
    • I use my trusty garlic press in recipes that call for minced or crushed garlic. So easy!

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers will last for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
    • Reheat over a low heat on the stove or in the microwave.
    a cast iron skillet with four pieces of pesto chicken in sauce garnished with basil and mozzarella

    What to serve it with

    • I recommend serving this chicken dinner with rice, mashed potatoes, or a slice of fresh crusty bread to soak up that amazing sauce!
    • For veggie sides, try some Easy Glazed Carrots or Creamy Garlic Mushrooms.
    • If you'd prefer something lighter, make a simple green salad with homemade honey mustard dressing.

    More pesto recipes you'll love

    • Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
    • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi
    • Pesto Pan-fried Sausage and Potatoes
    • Creamy Pesto Shrimp Gnocchi
    • Salmon Pesto Pasta

    Did you have any questions about this easy chicken recipe? Let me know in the comments below!

    close-up of a spoon serving a portion of pesto chicken from a cast iron skillet

    Pesto Chicken

    This pesto chicken recipe is cheesy, quick to make, and has irresistible fresh tomatoes in a luxurious pesto sauce. Top it all off with melted mozzarella, and you've got a 30-minute chicken dinner that's special enough for guests.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 348 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 large chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/2 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
    • 1 (10 ounce) package little tomatoes (grape or cherry) cut into halves
    • 1/4 cup pesto
    • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
    • Fresh basil optional, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 400F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
    • Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you have 4 thinner cutlets. Season them with the garlic powder and some salt & pepper.
    • Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes/side or until golden (but don't overcook as it will be finished in the oven). Transfer chicken to a plate.
    • To the skillet, add the garlic, broth, tomatoes, pesto, and Italian seasoning.
    • Scrape up and brown bits from the bottom of the pan and cook until the tomatoes start to lose their shape and release the juice (about 3-5 minutes).
    • Take the pan off the heat and add the chicken back in. Top the chicken pieces with the mozzarella.
    • Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 5 minutes and then carefully broil for another few minutes to brown the cheese (watch it carefully so it doesn't burn). If you don't want to broil, I'd cook the chicken in the oven for 7 minutes or until it registers 165F.
    • Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately. I recommend serving it with something that will absorb the rich sauce like mashed potatoes or rice.

    Notes

    • If you don't own an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken to a baking dish for the baking portion of the recipe.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 348kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 32gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 588mgPotassium: 647mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1216IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 188mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword baked pesto chicken, pesto chicken recipe
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Easy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
    Minestrone Soup Recipe »

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    1. Melissa says

      January 22, 2023 at 6:37 PM

      5 stars
      This is delicious! So easy to make and the sauce has the best flavor!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 22, 2023 at 7:29 PM

        Thank you, Melissa!! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Linda R says

      August 28, 2022 at 10:24 AM

      I love the picture showing all the items one needs to make the recipe. A quick look in my pantry and I’m good to go.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 28, 2022 at 11:14 AM

        I'm so glad, Linda!! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Rachel Kline says

      August 25, 2022 at 6:15 PM

      5 stars
      This was bursting with flavor, we loved it! We ate it as a main without sides as we are small-portion eaters and it was perfect. We made the leftovers into sandwiches; I put it on a lightly buttered croissant and grilled it in the panini grill for a great lunch. I shared this recipe with my colleagues and two have since made it and loved it as well.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 25, 2022 at 6:25 PM

        Excellent!! I love the repurposing of the leftovers idea too! Thanks for sharing. I appreciate you passing the recipe onto your coworkers too! 😀

        Reply
    4. Maggie says

      August 22, 2022 at 4:54 PM

      Made this for the first time today and my family loved it! It's delicious and easy. Thank you😊

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        August 22, 2022 at 6:38 PM

        So happy your family all enjoyed the chicken, Maggie! Thank you for leaving a review. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Maryam Hamer says

      August 22, 2022 at 2:28 PM

      5 stars
      We love rice in our household, this dish has been a great find for a quick weeknight super served with rice for the family. Everyone asked for second helping.
      Thank you x

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        August 22, 2022 at 2:44 PM

        You're very welcome, Maryam! So pleased it's a hit in your home! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Amanda says

      July 18, 2022 at 5:28 PM

      5 stars
      Another AMAZING recipe of yours! They never disappoint! I just made this for the first time, and this will definitely be one of our regulars. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        July 18, 2022 at 8:42 PM

        Aw thank you, Amanda! We're so happy you're enjoying the recipes! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Camille says

      June 6, 2022 at 6:59 AM

      5 stars
      Question: I'm going to make this tonight for 13 people so I'm thinking the oven would be best. If I brown the chicken in a pan (after seasoning), then transfer to a baking sheet, what temp should I use and how long? Thanks so much!
      PS I gave a premature 5 stars because I didn't want to mess up your ratings, I hope that's okay!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 6, 2022 at 1:33 PM

        Hi Camille! I would say timing should still be similar since the skillet is transferred to the oven in step 7. So, transfer to the baking sheet and still do it on 400F until the chicken is cooked through. Let me know how it goes or if you have any more questions.
        That's so kind of you re: the ratings! I definitely appreciate the 5 stars, but you can just leave them blank if you're asking a question - it won't negatively affect me. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Chris D. says

      May 9, 2022 at 5:37 PM

      5 stars
      Lazy day for me: Foil covered baking sheet, added chicken, pricked with fork, seasoned as instructed. Smeared pesto on top of each piece. Topped with mozzarella slices and drizzled with a little olive oil. Threw halved tomatoes and some white wine in the bottom. Baked for about 20 minutes. Very good and super easy.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 9, 2022 at 7:37 PM

        Excellent!!

        Reply
    9. Gwyn says

      February 22, 2022 at 3:00 AM

      When cutting the breasts in half length-wise, is the knife parallel to the cutting board, or perpendicular? I'm assuming parallel, but want to be sure. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 22, 2022 at 11:02 AM

        Hi! Parallel. You're simply thinning them out (so they're half as thick). Hope you enjoy the recipe, Gwyn! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Karen Aburumman says

      February 20, 2022 at 5:19 PM

      5 stars
      Made this tonight. So delicious and easy to make. This is going to become a regular dish for me. Love it!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 20, 2022 at 9:38 PM

        That's great to hear, Karen. Thanks for your review! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Spencer Cundy says

      February 19, 2022 at 1:17 PM

      5 stars
      I made this a few nights ago as per the recipe, it turned out a treat thank you..
      It was so good I am aloud to make it again.
      .

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        February 19, 2022 at 3:12 PM

        That's great to hear!! Thanks so much for taking the time to write us a review, Spencer.

        Reply
    12. AngelaML says

      February 13, 2022 at 6:05 PM

      5 stars
      OMG Natasha - I knew immediately when this popped up in your newsletter last week that I would have to have this make this ASAP as it had all of my favorite ingredients (chicken, pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella) !!! It did not disappoint at all, and was a great hit! My family all loved it! We served over Jasmine rice.

      I liked that I could use less of the mozzarella on my chicken pieces (watching my cholesterol). We don't have a oven ready skillet so used my husband's new enameled baking dish which worked great.

      Love, love, love this dish and will definitely be making again in the future! Thank you!!! ❤️

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 13, 2022 at 6:33 PM

        Excellent!! I'm so happy you guys all enjoyed it! 🙂 You're very welcome. Appreciate your review as always.

        Reply

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