Description
Baked Pesto Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make Italian-American main course featuring tender chicken breasts topped with aromatic basil pesto, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this gluten-free and low-carb dish delivers rich, cheesy goodness with simple ingredients and minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with the olive oil to prevent sticking and help with browning.
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the greased baking dish. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor of the chicken.
- Apply pesto: Spread about 2 tablespoons of basil pesto evenly over the top of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
- Add cheeses: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan evenly over the pesto-covered chicken breasts to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake the chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving. This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts if preferred—adjust baking time accordingly as thighs may take a bit longer or shorter depending on size.
- For added flavor, marinate the chicken in pesto for a few hours before baking to infuse deeper herbaceous notes.
- Serve the baked pesto chicken with your choice of sides like pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables to complete the meal.
