Easy Pesto Chicken Recipe
An easy recipe for pesto chicken: chicken breasts coated in bright, summery basil pesto sauce and baked until juicy and delicious. Ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Use a spoon to spread a thin layer of pesto over the top of each chicken breast, coating it evenly.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken breasts, pesto-side down. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the pesto is browned.
- Flip the chicken and cook for 1 minute more on the second side. This helps seal in the flavors.
- Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet, pesto-side up.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
Tip: Use good-quality, freshly made or store-bought pesto for the best flavor. Make extra pesto to toss with pasta or vegetables later in the week.