Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken is a quick one-skillet dinner made with juicy seared chicken breasts, burst cherry tomatoes, and a rich, velvety pesto cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 pieces)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tablespoon basil pesto
- 1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Freshly shaved parmesan, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh basil ribbons, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken.
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Rub both sides with basil pesto. - Cook the chicken.
Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside. - Make the sauce.
In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together flour, garlic, pesto, evaporated milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. - Sauté the tomatoes.
Return skillet to heat and add cherry tomatoes. Cook for about 1 minute until slightly softened. Add a little more oil if needed. - Add the sauce.
Pour the pesto sauce into the skillet and bring to a gentle boil. Stir until it begins to thicken. - Return chicken to pan.
Add chicken back to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top and cook 2–3 minutes until heated through. - Serve.
Garnish with parmesan and fresh basil. Serve with pasta, rice, or salad.
Notes
- Pound thicker chicken breasts slightly for even cooking.
- If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of milk or water to loosen it.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Great served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg