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
4 servings
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Calories
313 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Pesto Chicken
Description
Butterflied chicken breasts are seasoned with salt and pepper before being brushed with pesto sauce to infuse herbal and nutty flavors. The chicken is placed in a baking dish along with cherry tomatoes, which roast and soften, releasing juices that mingle with the pesto.
Baking at 400°F for approximately 20-25 minutes ensures the chicken cooks evenly and remains moist. The pine nuts added after baking introduce a toasted crunch and nutty element that complements the pesto.
This dish works well as a standalone entrée or alongside salads, pasta, or roasted vegetables. Preparing the chicken at room temperature before baking helps even cooking, and resting the meat after baking allows juices to redistribute, leading to a tender result.
Using a meat thermometer ensures the chicken is safely cooked without overdrying. The recipe’s straightforward method suits home cooks aiming for flavorful, herb-forward poultry dishes.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast butterflied (sliced in half vertically
- 8 oz cherry tomato
- ½ cup pine nuts
- salt to season chicken
- black pepper to season chicken
- ¼ cup pesto sauce and more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F and place 4 chicken fillets in a baking dish (you can also use baking sheet lined with parchment paper)
- Season each side of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brush the top of the chicken fillets with pesto sauce (about 1 Tbsp for each chicken breast). Add cherry tomatoes to the baking dish.
- Bake pesto chicken & tomatoes at 400 F for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meat thermometer reads 165 F.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle some pine nuts over the chicken. Serve warm with your favorite side or salad.
Notes
- Allow chicken to rest 5 to 10 minutes after baking to let juices redistribute for juicier meat.
- Bring chicken to room temperature about 30 minutes before baking to promote even cooking.
- Using a meat thermometer to confirm chicken has reached 165°F ensures safe and perfect doneness without overcooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 313 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 313kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 74mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 290mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 642mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 624IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 40mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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