Pesto Chicken Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken is one of those dishes that feels fancy but is incredibly simple to make. Juicy chicken breasts smothered in a rich pesto sauce come together in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect recipe for a busy weeknights or a cozy Sunday Dinner.

If you are a fan of pesto, don't stop at just chicken! There are so many delicious ways to use this bold and fresh sauce. From Creamy Pesto Gnocchi to a tasty Caprese Chicken Sandwich, and even Pesto Potatoes.

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Course Main Entrées

Cuisine Italian

Servings

Calories 399 kcal

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Equipment

Ingredients

24 oz chicken breast sliced thin, skinless, boneless (about 5-6 pieces)
1 tsp salt
3 tsp pesto sauce homemade or store bought
3 cups lettuce or your favorite salad greens
10 grape tomatoes
½ small red onion
½ cup croutons
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar or your favorite vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
4 tbsp pesto sauce for drizzling on chicken

Instructions

Warm up your barbecue if you are going to grill the chicken, otherwise warm up your oven to 350℉ and prepare a baking tray with parchment paper and a spritz of olive oil.
Pat dry your chicken with paper towel. Season your chicken cutlets (if using whole chicken breast, butterfly them to make them thinner). Coat chicken with pesto sauce.
24 oz chicken breast, 1 tsp salt, 3 tsp pesto sauce
Place on the barbecue on low heat. Once they no longer stick to the grill flip over to the other side (about 10 minutes on each side).
If baking or frying add oil to your pan and bake/cook until well done. About 20 minutes, flipping half way through.
Remove chicken from heat and set aside. Prepare your salad and toss.
3 cups lettuce, 10 grape tomatoes, ½ small red onion, ½ cup croutons, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper
Slice your chicken into pieces and place chicken on top of salad and add a little more pesto sauce on chicken.
4 tbsp pesto sauce

Notes

Top Tips

Slice chicken evenly so it cooks at the same rate.

Rest your chicken before slicing to retain juices and ensure moist flavorful slices

Stir in extra pesto at the end if you want a stronger herb taste

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 38gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 989mgPotassium: 836mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1054IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg

Keyword arugula salad, Basil Pesto Sauce, light meal

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