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Creamy Pesto Chicken Recipe

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4 from 11 reviews

Creamy pesto chicken is a quick and delicious main dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a flavorful pesto and creamy tomato sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or to impress guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lb total)
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided

Sauce

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup pesto

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Fillet the chicken breasts into two thinner pieces each (or pound to an even thickness and then halve to create four portions). Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and swirl to coat. Add the chicken and cook for about 7-10 minutes total, turning to brown all sides and cook through. Remove chicken from skillet and place on a clean plate.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add remaining olive oil, minced garlic, and halved grape tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until tomatoes soften and begin to lose shape.
  4. Make Sauce: Stir in heavy cream and pesto to the skillet with the tomatoes. Bring sauce to a gentle simmer, then taste and season with more salt or pepper if needed.
  5. Combine & Heat Through: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it with the creamy pesto tomato sauce. Allow to simmer together for a few minutes so flavors meld and chicken is heated through. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
  • Grape tomatoes can be substituted with cherry tomatoes if unavailable.
  • Use low-sodium pesto to better control salt levels.
  • Serve this dish with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/creamy-pesto-chicken-recipe/