Description
This delicious Baked Pesto Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breasts with flavorful basil pesto and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for a quick and easy Italian-inspired main course. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it’s naturally gluten-free and pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or a fresh side salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pesto and Cheese
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper on both sides, then arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
- Apply pesto: Spread about 2 tablespoons of basil pesto evenly over the top of each chicken breast, ensuring thorough coverage for rich flavor.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese generously over the pesto-coated chicken breasts for a gooey, melty topping.
- Bake the chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly with slight golden spots.
- Rest and garnish: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving; garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired to add a pop of color and fresh herb flavor.
Notes
- Use homemade or store-bought pesto based on your preference or availability.
- Serve this dish alongside pasta, rice, or a fresh side salad to complete your meal.
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken in pesto for 30 minutes prior to baking.
