Description
This Baked Pesto Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts topped with flavorful basil pesto, fresh tomato slices, and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s an easy, wholesome dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that combines Italian-inspired flavors with simple preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish, seasoning both sides with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Apply Pesto: Spread the basil pesto evenly over the top of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage for maximum taste.
- Add Tomatoes: Layer the sliced tomatoes over the pesto-covered chicken breasts, adding freshness and juiciness to the dish.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the tomatoes and chicken to create a deliciously cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes to retain juices and improve texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving for an added burst of color and herbal aroma.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- You can substitute mozzarella with provolone or Parmesan cheese for a different flavor profile.
- If pesto is too thick, thin it out slightly with a little olive oil for easier spreading.
- Use fresh ripe tomatoes for the best taste and texture.
- Letting the chicken rest after baking helps keep it moist.
