Description
Whipping up creamy pesto chicken is a total game-changer for your weeknight dinner routine. Tender chicken bathed in a rich, herbal sauce brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
Fresh and Dairy Components:
- 10 ounces grape tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- ½ cup basil pesto
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss 10 oz grape tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for exactly 20 minutes until they blister and caramelize.
- Mix 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly coat 4 chicken breasts with this seasoning blend.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken breasts for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet. In the same pan, sauté ½ chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let garlic burn.
- Pour ½ cup basil pesto into the skillet. Stir in ½ cup heavy whipping cream and ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese. Simmer sauce for 2 minutes.
- Return chicken and roasted tomatoes to the skillet. Warm everything together for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle ½ tsp red chili flakes if you enjoy extra heat.
- Plate and serve the creamy pesto chicken immediately while sauce is hot and glossy.
Notes
- Roast tomatoes until they’re slightly wrinkled and caramelized for maximum flavor depth.
- Choose chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
- Fresh basil pesto creates a more vibrant sauce compared to store-bought jarred versions.
- For a lighter alternative, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 391 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg