I present to you a chicken recipe as simple and delicious as its name is long. Chicken with Basil Pesto is a great dish to throw together at the last minute before your friends or family arrive. The advantage of this recipe is that it freezes well, so feel free to make it beforehand and then pull it out later. You can also adjust or add other ingredients like peas and bacon or substitute other nuts or cheeses.

Basil pesto chicken

10m prep
15m cook
2 servings

Throw this tasty dish together for dinner tonight and you’ll have the entire family asking for more!

4.7

out of 10

Health Score*

LOW

1011 calories per serve

Allergens: Recipe may contain gluten, wheat, tree nut, milk and lactose.

7 Ingredients
4 Method Steps

200g fettuccine
2 tbsp olive oil
2 single chicken breast fillets, thinly sliced
2 tbsp basil pesto
1 cup cream
shaved parmesan, to serve
basil leaves, to serve
Select all ingredients

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Step 1Cook fettuccineUnsure of the quantity needed?Click on the underlined ingredient to reveal the quantity. No need to flip back and forth!OK, GOT IT according to the packet directions.
Step 2Meanwhile, heat oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until brown.
Step 3Add pesto, cream, salt and pepper to frying pan. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened slightly.
Step 4Drain pasta. Add to pesto mixture. Toss over low heat until well combined. Transfer to serving bowls. Top with parmesan and basil. Serve warm.

2 ingredient pesto chicken

pesto chicken grilled or oven baked, smothered in a creamy, homemade basil pesto! served with cherry tomatoes, this chicken is out of this world crazy good, low carb and only needs 2 main ingredients!

2 Ingredient Pesto Chicken, two ingredients… no way!

Oh lord. This chicken is (or was) unreal. I’ve included TWO different cooking methods in the recipe below, because BOTH have to be shared! Personally, I love grilling and the unmistakeable barbecued, char-grilled flavour it brings out in the chicken. BUT! Oven baked is JUST as good, tender and juicy, with an incredible flavour!

It all starts with pesto. Remember the pesto I shared yesterday? Yeah. That pesto. That’s the pesto you’re going to be making and smothering all over your chicken. (I’m kidding. Totally not.) Yes, of course you can use store bought pesto and save yourselves 2 minutes of a food processor processing. How. Ever. Nothing beats the flavour in fresh, homemade pesto.

Fresh, homemade basil pesto is way better than any store bought pesto, with a flavour-packed punch! All you need is 5 ingredients and a food processor! | https://cafedelites.com

Then, you are going to either grill OR oven bake your pesto smothered chicken until it’s cooked through and perfectly soft on the inside, and golden on the outsides. THEN you’re going to grill the tomatoes OR add your tomatoes to the oven. And BAM! Chicken done so easily, with hardly ANY work needed.

Pesto Chicken GRILLED OR OVEN BAKED, smothered in a creamy, homemade Basil Pesto! Only 2 main ingredients needed, this chicken is out of this world! | https://cafedelites.com

2 INGREDIENT PESTO CHICKEN

Pesto Chicken GRILLED OR OVEN BAKED, smothered in a creamy, homemade Basil Pesto! Served with cherry tomatoes, this chicken is out of this world crazy good with only 2 main ingredients needed!

SERVES:

INGREDIENTS

4 skinless and boneless chicken breast fillets (about 1 kg | 2 pounds)
1/2 cup Basil Pesto , plus 1/4 cup extra for serving (use this recipe for homemade pesto or you can use store bought)
Salt and Pepper to season (optional – adjust to your tastes)
500 g | 17 ounces cherry tomatoes (optional as a serving idea)

INSTRUCTIONS

Smother chicken fillets in the pesto on all sides (about 2 tablespoons of pesto for each chicken breast, depending on your taste). Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Grill:

Preheat a barbecue plate, grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-6 minutes each side or until completely cooked through. Transfer to a warm plate. Grill the tomatoes, rotating once, until soft and beginning to brown.
Top chicken with extra pesto. Serve with the tomatoes.

Oven Baked:

Preheat the oven to 350°F | 180°C. Line a baking dish with aluminium foil or bang | parchment paper.
Arrange the coated chicken breasts in the baking dish and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes.
At 30 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven and arrange the tomatoes around each fillet.
Place the chicken back in the oven and cook a further 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.

PESTO CHICKEN RECIPE

Ready in just 30 minutes, this Creamy Pesto Chicken recipe is the perfect skillet dinner for busy weeknights. It’s packed with the vibrant basil pesto flavor and the creamy sauce will make your taste buds happy!

top view of pesto chicken and tomatoes in a black skillet with basil garnished

Searching for a fast and flavorful dinner? Look no further than this Basil Pesto Chicken! With a creamy 4-ingredient sauce that will surprise your taste buds, it’s the answer to your boring weekday dinner dilemma. So quick and easy to make this healthy chicken dinner recipe for the family. By using prepared basil pesto, there’s minimal prep work. The only thing that needs to be prepared in advance is the chicken marinade, but it takes 2 minutes to pull together. They are low in carbs and a keto-friendly meal.

For extra flavor, we definitely recommend topping this with fresh parmesan and more basil. It adds a pop of freshness to the dish. Serve this easy pesto chicken recipe over rice or pasta, with a side salad for a complete meal.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS EASY CHICKEN RECIPE

Only one pan is necessary. This delicious basil pesto chicken requires just one pan! That means clean-up is breezy.
Creamy pesto sauce. With basil pesto sauce and an almond milk cream sauce base, you’re left with a delectable, creamy sauce to pour over not only the chicken but rice or quinoa too.
Great leftovers. This chicken tastes fantastic the next day when the flavors have had even more time to soak in.
Easy prep. There are only a few steps to get this chicken skillet on your plate! Ready in 30 minutes!

top view close up image of chicken breasts in pesto sauce and cherry tomatoes

INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED

These are the ingredients you will need to grab from the store. The full measurements are listed further down below.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
Basil pesto. You can make your own at home.
Extra virgin olive oil
Cherry tomatoes

For the sauce:

Gluten-free flour
Garlic cloves
Basil pesto or homemade
Almond milk

For garnish:

Freshly shaved parmesan
Fresh basil leaves

HOW TO MAKE THIS PESTO CHICKEN RECIPE

Place chicken breast in a Ziploc bag. Add in 2 tablespoons basil pesto, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag and gently move the breasts through the bag to get them all nicely coated.
Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add marinated chicken and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk all sauce ingredients until well combined.
Pour this sauce over the chicken into the pan, and add in the cherry tomatoes.
Simmer for 5-6 minutes over medium-low heat, until the sauce thickens and the tomatoes burst.
Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired and enjoy!

pesto milk sauce being pour over the chicken breast

WHAT TO SERVE WITH PESTO CHICKEN

This basil pesto chicken breast can be served over rice, quinoa, or pasta. For a lighter option, serve over cauliflower rice. You may also serve it with a side salad, and steamed or roasted vegetables. Here are some side dish options to consider serving with this pesto chicken:

Cilantro cauliflower rice
How to cook rice on the stove
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Parmesan Oven-roasted asparagus
Potatoes Au Gratin
Baked Parmesan Potato Wedges

close up pesto chicken in skillet with cherry tomatoes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How to store Pesto Chicken?

This creamy pesto chicken will last in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove when ready to serve. This recipe works well for those who meal prep.

Can I freeze pesto chicken?

Yes, you can freeze this pesto chicken for up to 3 months. Allow to cool completely and then store in an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stove.

How long does a chicken need to marinade?

Chicken typically needs to marinate from 20 minutes to overnight. In the case of this pesto chicken, we recommend at least an hour but several hours is better. If you can, place the chicken in the marinade in the morning for dinner in the evening.

side shot of chicken in creamy sauce with cherry tomatoes

RECIPE NOTES AND TIPS

The serving size is one chicken breast
Do not overcook the chicken to prevent it from drying
You may use another protein like shrimp or salmon
Almond milk can be replaced with any other milk
Use any oil of choice
Consider adding in your favorite veggies like broccoli or asparagus
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
You may use boneless chicken thighs if you like.

creamy chicken breast in a black skillet

close up chicken breast in a pesto sauce

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Pesto Chicken Recipe

Tender and juicy chicken breast cooked in a creamy pesto sauce with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Low Fat

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

marinade: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 254kcal

Ingredients

▢1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
▢Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
▢2 tbsp basil pesto or homemade
▢1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
▢2 cups cherry tomatoes

SAUCE:

▢1 tbsp gluten-free flour
▢2 garlic cloves minced
▢1 tbsp basil pesto or homemade
▢1 cup almond milk
▢Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Optional to garnish:

▢Freshly shaved parmesan for garnish
▢Fresh basil leaves

Instructions

Place chicken breast in a Ziploc bag. Add in 2 tablespoons basil pesto, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag and gently move the breasts through the bag to get them all nicely coated.
Allow the chicken to marinated for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add marinated chicken and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk all sauce ingredients until well combined.
Pour this sauce over the chicken into the pan, and add in the cherry tomatoes.
Simmer for 5-6 minutes over medium-low heat, until the sauce thickens and the tomatoes burst.
Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired and enjoy!

Video

Notes

The serving size is one chicken breast
Without marinating time, you need only 30 minutes to make this chicken recipe. You may marinate for a shorter time or marinate the night before.
Do not overcook the chicken to prevent it from drying
You may use another protein like shrimp or salmon
Almond milk can be replaced with any other milk
Use any oil of choice
Consider adding in your favorite veggies like broccoli or asparagus
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
You may use boneless chicken thighs if you like.

Nutrition

Chicken With Basil Pesto

Basil pesto chicken

2 ingredient pesto chicken

pesto chicken grilled or oven baked, smothered in a creamy, homemade basil pesto! served with cherry tomatoes, this chicken is out of this world crazy good, low carb and only needs 2 main ingredients!