Description
This Easy Baked Pesto Chicken recipe is a flavorful and simple dinner option featuring tender chicken breasts topped with fragrant basil pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it combines classic Italian-American flavors in a healthy, gluten-free dish that pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pesto and Toppings
- ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer. Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Apply pesto and add tomatoes: Spread about 2 tablespoons of basil pesto evenly over the top of each chicken breast. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken in the baking dish, which will soften and add juiciness during baking.
- Bake chicken until almost cooked: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through, aiming for an internal temperature of approximately 160°F (71°C).
- Add cheeses and finish baking: Remove the dish from the oven. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over each chicken breast. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish the baked chicken with fresh basil leaves for added color and aroma. Serve hot, pairing the dish with rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Try using sun-dried tomato pesto or spinach pesto to create exciting flavor variations.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts, but adjust the cooking time accordingly as thighs may take slightly longer.
