Pesto Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
2
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Calories
598 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Pesto Chicken
Description
In this recipe, chicken breasts are first flattened to uniform thickness for even cooking. After seasoning with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, a generous layer of pesto is spread over each breast, imparting basil and garlic flavors. A mixture of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and Italian seasoning is sprinkled on top, creating a crunchy crust as it bakes in the oven at 400°F.
Baking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F ensures the chicken is cooked through while maintaining juiciness. Letting the chicken rest five minutes before serving allows juices to redistribute. The combination of the creamy pesto and the crispy topping offers contrasting textures and savory herbal notes that enhance this simple chicken dish.
Optional variations include substituting chicken thighs for a darker meat option or serving alongside pasta or low-carb zucchini noodles. Store-bought pesto can be used, or a homemade recipe can be substituted.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup pesto
Bread Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Place chicken on a cutting board and cover with a sheet of parchment paper. Pound with a mallet or rolling pin until the pieces are about the same thickness all around. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
- Transfer chicken to a baking sheet or large baking dish. Spread a layer of pesto on each chicken breast.
- Add all bread crumb topping ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the topping over each chicken breast.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Let rest for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Nutrition information excludes pasta; serving pasta is optional.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts if preferred for a darker meat flavor.
- Choose store-bought pesto or prepare homemade pesto as a substitute.
- For a low-carb meal, serve with zucchini noodles rather than pasta.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 598 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 598kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 56g | 112% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 188mg | 63% |
| Sodium | 2134mg | 89% |
| Potassium | 931mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1190IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 240mg | 24% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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