Dreamy Creamy Pesto Chicken Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Delight

Hey there, pasta enthusiasts – this creamy pesto chicken serves up a seriously delectable weeknight dinner solution!

Mediterranean flavors dance across your plate with minimal kitchen effort.

Cooking becomes pure joy when ingredients blend seamlessly into something magical.

Tender chicken breasts nestle perfectly amid vibrant green sauce that whispers classic Italian inspiration.

No complicated techniques or exotic shopping trips required for this crowd-pleasing meal.

Fragrant basil and rich parmesan create an irresistible combination you’ll want to savor slowly.

Lean in and let your taste buds explore this culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Pesto Chicken That’s Creamy, Herby, and Fast

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up this creamy pesto chicken in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires just a handful of simple, readily available ingredients like chicken, cream, pesto, and cherry tomatoes, making grocery shopping a breeze.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Delivers a luxurious, restaurant-style meal with rich, creamy sauce and golden-brown chicken that impresses without complex cooking techniques.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimizes cleanup with a single-pan cooking method, reducing dish washing and saving precious time after a long day.

What Brings Creamy Pesto Chicken to Life

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the main dish, best when boneless and skinless for easy cooking.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce, authentic Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, smooth sauce with rich texture.
• Basil Pesto: Provides herbaceous, garlicky flavor profile, fresh or store-bought works well.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing chicken and adding subtle fruity undertones.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Adds bright, fresh element and color contrast, ripe and firm tomatoes preferred.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Provides final fresh herb garnish with vibrant green color and aromatic finish.

Pesto Chicken Creamy Cooking Steps

Step 1: Sizzle and Season Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and sprinkle them generously with salt and pepper.

Heat up a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in some olive oil.

Carefully place the chicken breasts into the hot skillet, letting them cook until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

This should take about 5-6 minutes on each side.

You’ll know they’re done when they’re cooked through and have a lovely crispy exterior.

Once perfectly cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Craft a Luxurious Sauce

Using the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low.

Pour in the rich heavy cream and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

These bits are packed with flavor!

Stir in the vibrant basil pesto and sprinkle in some Parmesan cheese.

Keep stirring until the sauce becomes silky smooth and all ingredients are beautifully combined.

Step 3: Bring Everything Together

Gently return the cooked chicken breasts back to the skillet, lovingly coating them with the creamy sauce.

Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes, which will add a burst of color and freshness.

Let everything simmer together for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle.

The tomatoes will soften slightly, releasing their sweet juices into the sauce.

Just before serving, sprinkle some fresh basil leaves on top for a final touch of brightness and aroma.

Simple Cooking Tips for Pesto Chicken

• Select fresh, organic chicken breasts for the best flavor and texture, ensuring they are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
• Cook chicken precisely 5-6 minutes per side to achieve a golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy, tender meat without overcooking.
• Stir pesto and cream slowly to create a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the chicken evenly, preventing separation or clumping.
• Add fresh basil leaves just before serving to introduce a vibrant, aromatic element that brightens the entire dish.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich alternative.

Creamy Pesto Chicken Storage

• Store leftover pesto chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain food safety and quality.
• Warm chicken in a preheated 350°F oven. Cover the dish with foil to prevent drying out, and heat for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring sauce between each interval to distribute heat evenly.
• Add a splash of cream or chicken broth when reheating to keep the chicken moist and sauce creamy. Stir gently to maintain sauce consistency.

Top Sides for Creamy Pesto Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, refreshing Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the creamy pesto sauce's herbal notes and cuts through the richness.
• Create Fresh Side Salad: Toss together a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's creamy texture and add a peppery, bright contrast.
• Serve Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare warm, toasted baguette slices with garlic butter to soak up the delicious pesto cream sauce and provide a crunchy textural element.
• Match with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare a side of roasted zucchini or asparagus with olive oil and sea salt to add a light, nutritious accompaniment that enhances the chicken's flavors.

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Twists

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Replace chicken breasts with cauliflower steaks, searing and coating them in the creamy pesto sauce for a vegetarian-friendly option.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to create a lactose-free recipe that maintains rich, creamy texture.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Experiment with different herb pestos like sun-dried tomato, roasted red pepper, or cilantro pesto to transform the dish's flavor profile while keeping the core cooking method unchanged.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Adaptation: Add kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese to introduce a Greek-style complexity to the creamy pesto chicken, enhancing the dish's Mediterranean character.

FAQs

• Is pesto the star ingredient in this dish?

Pesto adds a robust, herby flavor with basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese that elevates the creamy sauce and complements the chicken perfectly.

• Can I use different types of chicken for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best, but you can also use chicken thighs or tenders. Just adjust cooking time to ensure chicken is fully cooked.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Golden brown color and firm texture are also good indicators of doneness.

• What makes the sauce creamy and rich?

Heavy cream combined with Parmesan cheese creates a smooth, luxurious sauce that coats the chicken and adds depth of flavor. The combination provides a rich, velvety texture.

Creamy Pesto Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory “creamy pesto chicken” brings Italian countryside comfort straight to dinner tables. Home chefs can effortlessly craft this quick, elegant dish that combines herbal pesto richness with tender chicken in a luscious sauce you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Elevate the chicken breasts by generously seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both surfaces.
2. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, creating a perfect searing environment.
3. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each side to transform into a golden-brown masterpiece, cooking approximately 5-6 minutes per side until thoroughly cooked.
4. Transfer the perfectly seared chicken to a separate plate, reserving the flavorful pan remnants.
5. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low, creating a gentle sauce-making atmosphere.
6. Introduce heavy cream to the skillet, delicately scraping the caramelized chicken bits from the pan’s bottom to incorporate maximum flavor.
7. Integrate basil pesto and Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce achieves a luxurious, velvety consistency.
8. Nestle the cooked chicken back into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is lavishly coated.
9. Gently scatter halved cherry tomatoes throughout the skillet, allowing them to slightly soften and release their sweet essence.
10. Permit the ingredients to harmonize by simmering together for 3-4 minutes, melding flavors and textures.
11. Complete the dish by adorning with fresh basil leaves, transforming the presentation into a vibrant, aromatic masterpiece ready to be served.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is at room temperature before cooking to promote even browning and prevent tough meat.
• Pat chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, helping achieve a beautifully crisp exterior.
• Use high-quality pesto for maximum flavor depth and authentic Italian taste.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories without sacrificing creaminess.
• Create a gluten-free option by using certified gluten-free pesto and checking Parmesan cheese ingredients.
• Add red pepper flakes for a subtle heat kick that complements the herbal pesto notes.
• Slice chicken before serving to help sauce penetrate more thoroughly and create an elegant presentation.
• Quickly sauté cherry tomatoes to maintain their bright color and fresh burst of flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 42g
• Cholesterol: 155mg