Description
This Easy Pesto Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts baked with a vibrant homemade basil pesto. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice to create a flavorful sauce that enhances the chicken with bright, savory notes. Simple to prepare and baked in the oven, this dish serves 4 and offers a delicious Italian-inspired meal that pairs well with pasta, salad, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pesto Sauce
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking dish to prevent the chicken from sticking during baking.
- Season Chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make Pesto Sauce: In a blender, combine fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Blend until the mixture is smooth and emulsified to create a vibrant pesto sauce.
- Apply Pesto to Chicken: Spread half of the prepared pesto evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts arranged in the baking dish. Reserve the remaining pesto for serving.
- Bake Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes to redistribute the juices. Drizzle the reserved pesto sauce over the chicken before serving for extra flavor.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can use store-bought pesto to save time, but homemade pesto provides the freshest flavor.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure the Parmesan cheese is certified gluten-free.
- Pair this chicken with pasta, crusty bread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- For extra color and flavor, garnish with additional fresh basil leaves or cherry tomatoes.
