This Creamy Pesto Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious pesto cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted veggies.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Creamy Pesto Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, pesto, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine.
- Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Add crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat, if desired.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.
Pairing Suggestions:
- Serve over cooked pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Add a side of roasted vegetables or a crisp garden salad for a complete meal.
Recipe Details:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
Tips:
- For a lower-calorie version, substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms to the sauce for extra flavor.
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier alternative to chicken breasts.
Creamy Pesto Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Juicy chicken breasts are seared to perfection and then simmered in a creamy pesto sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that’s both comforting and satisfying.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil.
- Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium-low.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the basil pesto and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Combine and Serve:
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet.
- Let everything simmer together for about 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the tomatoes to soften slightly.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Serve this dish over pasta, rice, or with a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce to your desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Protein: 30g