Description
Whipping up this pesto chicken delivers a speedy weeknight dinner that brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your table. Tender chicken breasts draped in a rich, herby sauce make for a crowd-pleasing meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 5 chicken breasts
Vegetables:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3 cups spinach
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 shallot
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup pesto
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup chicken stock
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Instructions
- Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons of chicken breasts on both sides with garlic powder and onion powder.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large frying pan at medium-high heat for 2 minutes until hot.
- Sear chicken pieces for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown, creating a crispy exterior.
- Transfer chicken to a clean plate and set aside while keeping warm.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same pan over medium heat.
- Toss 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 chopped shallot, and 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes into the pan.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes and cook mixture for 5 minutes until tomatoes soften.
- Add 3 cups roughly chopped spinach to the pan and stir for 1 minute until slightly wilted.
- Pour ¼ cup pesto, ½ cup heavy cream, and ⅓ cup chicken stock into the vegetable mixture.
- Stir sauce ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes, allowing flavors to blend.
- Nestle seared chicken pieces back into the sauce, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Simmer chicken in sauce for 2-3 minutes until completely cooked through.
- Remove pan from heat once chicken is done and sauce reaches desired thickness.
- Plate chicken over pasta, rice, or zucchini noodles, garnishing with black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Butterfly or slice chicken thin to ensure even, quick cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F for perfect doneness without overcooking.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter, dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Fresh basil pesto works best, but jarred pesto can be a convenient time-saving option with similar delicious results.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 292 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg