Creamy Pesto Chicken

Creamy pesto chicken is a quick, elegant dinner made with juicy seared chicken breasts in a rich garlic-tomato pesto cream sauce. Perfect for a weeknight treat or to impress guests.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lb. total)
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup pesto (basil or your preferred type)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

Fillet each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thinner portions, or pound to even thickness and then halve. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.

2. Sear the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked through. Remove to a plate and set aside.

3. Sauté Tomatoes and Garlic

Lower heat to medium-low. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Sauté minced garlic and halved grape tomatoes for about 5 minutes, until softened and juicy.

4. Make the Sauce

Stir in heavy cream and pesto. Let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes to combine flavors. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

5. Finish the Dish

Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top and simmer for 2–3 minutes to reheat the chicken and meld the flavors.

6. Serve

Serve hot with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Spoon extra sauce over the top.

Notes and Tips

• Pesto Options: Basil pesto is classic, but red pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto also work well.
• Affordable Brands: Try Alessi, Barilla, Classico, or Filippo Berio for budget-friendly pesto.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 415 | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 28g | Sodium: 403mg | Fiber: 2g

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