Italian Pesto Chicken

Italian Pesto Chicken is a flavorful and aromatic dish that showcases the vibrant taste of fresh basil pesto. The chicken breasts are marinated or coated in a rich pesto sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, then baked or grilled to perfection. As the chicken cooks, the pesto infuses it with a fragrant blend of herbaceous, nutty, and slightly tangy flavors. The result is a tender and juicy chicken with a bright green, savory crust. Italian Pesto Chicken pairs beautifully with pasta, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad, making it a delicious and easy-to-prepare meal that captures the essence of Italian cuisine.

Italian Pesto Chicken

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 34 minutes mins

Total Time 49 minutes mins

Course Entree, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

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• 1 cup fresh basil, packed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp almonds (or pine nuts)
• cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1-1/3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 Roma tomatoes
• 1/2 cup part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Add the basil, water, Parmesan, almonds, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a food processor. Pulse until combined to make homemade pesto. You can also swap in store-bought pesto.
• Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Place the chicken in the dish and season with salt and pepper. Spread the pesto on top of the chicken. Then top with sliced tomatoes and ¼ cup cheese per chicken breast.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. Baking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken.
• Drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar on top before serving.

Keyword Chicken, Italian Pesto Chicken, Pesto

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