Description
This Easy Baked Pesto Chicken recipe offers a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired meal featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with aromatic basil pesto and a melty cheese blend. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines simplicity and deliciousness with minimal prep and bake time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauces and Cheese
- ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cherry tomatoes for garnish (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with the olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly for uniform cooking.
- Apply Pesto: Spread about 2 tablespoons of basil pesto over the top of each chicken breast, ensuring an even coating for maximum flavor infusion.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the pesto-covered chicken breasts to create a rich, cheesy topping.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly with a golden hue.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and optionally garnish with fresh cherry tomatoes and basil leaves. Serve hot, paired with your choice of pasta, rice, or a fresh side salad.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken in pesto for 30 minutes before baking.
- Try using sun-dried tomato pesto as a flavorful twist.
- Add a breadcrumb topping before baking for a crunchy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
