The Creamiest Pesto Chicken Recipe for Weeknight Magic

Creamy pesto chicken revolutionizes ordinary dinner into a culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds and elevates home cooking.

Rich, vibrant flavors dance across the plate, promising a meal both comforting and sophisticated.

Italian-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious symphony of textures and aromas.

Tender chicken absorbs the fragrant herb sauce, developing layers of delectable complexity that surprise and delight.

Weeknight meals gain unexpected elegance through this simple yet impressive dish that requires minimal preparation.

Busy home cooks will appreciate the straightforward approach to crafting something extraordinary without spending hours in the kitchen.

The magic happens when carefully selected ingredients merge into a spectacular dining experience.

Why Everyone Loves This Creamy Chicken

• Savor Flavor Explosion: The combination of pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan creates a burst of Mediterranean-inspired taste that dances on your palate with rich, herbaceous notes.
• Whip Up Weeknight Wonder: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks craving something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: The flexible recipe allows for simple ingredient swaps like using different proteins, adding more vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to suit individual preferences and dietary needs.
• Creamy Comfort in One Skillet: The one-pan method means minimal cleanup, while the luxurious cream-based sauce delivers a comforting, velvety texture that hugs every bite of tender chicken and crisp vegetables.

What You’ll Need for a Pesto-Packed Meal

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and boneless for even cooking.
• Italian Seasoning: Adds traditional Mediterranean flavor to enhance the chicken's taste.

• Yellow Onion, Garlic: Creates a flavor foundation with sweet and pungent notes, providing depth to the sauce.
• Bell Peppers: Adds color, crunch, and mild sweetness to complement the chicken.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Brings concentrated tangy and rich tomato flavor with a chewy texture.

• Heavy Cream, Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Creates a smooth, rich base for the creamy sauce with balanced saltiness.
• Basil Pesto: Introduces classic herb and garlic flavors, giving the dish its signature green color and taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps with sautéing and adds a subtle fruity undertone.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall dish flavor.
• Fresh Basil, Parmesan Cheese: Provides fresh herb aroma and salty, nutty garnish to complete the dish.

Creative Spins for Your Next Chicken Night

• Mediterranean Flair: Replace chicken strips with grilled lamb and swap pesto with herbed Greek yogurt sauce for a tangy Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Seafood Transformation: Substitute chicken with seared shrimp or white fish fillets, using a lighter cream sauce and adding capers for a coastal flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Option: Switch chicken with roasted portobello mushrooms or grilled tofu, maintaining the creamy pesto sauce and vegetable base for a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced jalapeños, replace bell peppers with poblano peppers, and add chipotle powder to the pesto cream sauce for a zesty southwestern version.

How to Make a Dreamy Green Chicken Dish

Step 1: Prep the Protein

Grab a large skillet and warm olive oil over medium heat

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook chicken until golden and fully done (7-8 minutes)

Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside

Step 2: Create Dreamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Pesto sauce

Let ingredients blend while preparing vegetables

Step 3: Sauté Veggie Medley

Return skillet to heat with remaining olive oil

Toss in diced onions and cook until soft (2 minutes)

• Minced garlic
• Sun-dried tomatoes

Stir for one minute until fragrant

Introduce bell peppers

Cook until vegetables are tender (4 minutes)

Step 4: Merge Flavors

Pour pesto cream sauce into skillet

Bring mixture to gentle simmer

Return chicken to skillet

Cook for additional 2 minutes

Allow sauce to slightly thicken

Step 5: Finish with Flair

Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese

Scatter chopped basil leaves

Serve immediately and enjoy your restaurant-quality meal

Tips to Keep Chicken Moist and Flavorful

• Slice Uniformly: Cut chicken strips into similar sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Control Heat Carefully: Maintain medium heat while cooking chicken and vegetables to prevent burning and preserve delicate flavors.
• Maximize Pesto Flavor: Use high-quality, fresh pesto for a more vibrant and authentic taste profile in the sauce.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow the dish to sit for 2-3 minutes after cooking to let sauce thicken and flavors fully develop.
• Customize Vegetables: Swap bell peppers with zucchini or asparagus for a personalized vegetable twist that complements the creamy pesto sauce.

Reheating Creamy Chicken with Care

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Creamy Pesto Chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating Skillet Method: Gently warm the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying and maintain sauce consistency.
• Microwave Option: Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and preserve the creamy texture of the dish.

What Goes Great with Pesto Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a bright, acidic Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the creamy pesto sauce and complement the herb's freshness.
• Match with Rustic Bread: Serve warm, crusty Italian bread or focaccia to soak up the delicious sauce and add a delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the creamy pesto chicken and provide a zesty, peppery counterpoint.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare a simple roasted vegetable side with zucchini, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes to enhance the dish's Mediterranean-inspired flavors and add nutritional balance.

Creamy Pesto Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Pesto chicken emerges as a Mediterranean-inspired delight blending herb-infused sauce with tender chicken breasts. Creamy parmesan and fragrant basil create a luxurious meal you can savor in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 3 tablespoons basil pesto

Main Vegetables:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 small bell peppers, cut into long thin strips (any color)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup (75 grams) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) low sodium chicken broth
• Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
• Grated parmesan, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious nonstick skillet over medium flame, drizzling olive oil across the surface to create a light coating.
2. Delicately season chicken strips with aromatic Italian herbs, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
3. Sear chicken pieces in the heated skillet, allowing them to develop a golden exterior while cooking thoroughly for approximately 7-8 minutes, then transfer to a waiting plate.
4. Create a luxurious sauce by whisking together velvety heavy cream, rich chicken broth, and vibrant pesto in a separate mixing vessel, allowing ingredients to harmonize.
5. Reintroduce the skillet to heat, adding another splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.
6. Gently sauté diced onions until they turn translucent and release their sweet aromatics, approximately 2 minutes.
7. Introduce minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, stirring continuously to prevent burning and unlock their intense flavors.
8. Incorporate colorful bell peppers, cooking until they soften and develop a slight caramelization, roughly 4 minutes.
9. Cascade the prepared pesto sauce into the skillet, bringing the mixture to a gentle, bubbling simmer.
10. Carefully return the cooked chicken strips to the sauce, allowing them to warm and absorb the creamy mixture for an additional 2 minutes.
11. Elevate the dish’s presentation by generously sprinkling freshly grated parmesan cheese and delicately chopped basil across the surface, adding depth and visual appeal.

Notes

• Discover a game-changing one-pan meal that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dinner in just 20 minutes.
• Packed with vibrant sun-dried tomatoes and creamy pesto sauce, this chicken recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
• Professional chef trick: letting sauce ingredients rest briefly allows flavors to develop deeper, more complex taste profiles before final cooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg