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
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
Instructions
- Elevate the chicken breasts by generously seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both surfaces.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, creating a perfect searing environment.
- 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.
- Transfer the perfectly seared chicken to a separate plate, reserving the flavorful pan remnants.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low, creating a gentle sauce-making atmosphere.
- Introduce heavy cream to the skillet, delicately scraping the caramelized chicken bits from the pan’s bottom to incorporate maximum flavor.
- Integrate basil pesto and Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce achieves a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Nestle the cooked chicken back into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is lavishly coated.
- Gently scatter halved cherry tomatoes throughout the skillet, allowing them to slightly soften and release their sweet essence.
- Permit the ingredients to harmonize by simmering together for 3-4 minutes, melding flavors and textures.
- 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