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If you are looking for a low carb dinner that’s easy to make and full of flavor, then this baked pesto chicken recipe is for you! Ready to serve in less than 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

pesto chicken on a white platter

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Stuck in a dinner rut? This easy and healthy pesto chicken bake is loaded with flavor and it’s so quick and easy to make! You need just 4 main ingredients and 5 minutes of prep. The chicken is wonderfully juicy, and be sure to use some of my homemade pesto (but store-bought will work as well)!

If you are looking for more easy weeknight meals, be sure to check out my Grilled Shrimp Skewers and Roasted Vegetables and Sausage.

pesto chicken breast baked with tomatoes

Ingredients For Pesto Chicken

This chicken dinner uses simple ingredients and yet it packs so much flavor. The fresh and herby flavor of the pesto makes the chicken so delicious and juicy. And the caramelized and sweet tomatoes add an additional flavor element.

  • Chicken breasts: Use skinless, boneless breasts in this recipe. If you can, use organic breasts that are air chilled.
  • Cherry tomatoes: The cherry tomatoes get cooked with the chicken and they get wonderfully juicy and sweet.
  • Pine nuts: Pine nuts are sprinkled over the baked chicken for added flavor and texture.
  • Salt and pepper: To season the chicken.
  • Pesto sauce: You can make your own pesto or use your favorite store-bought brand.
pesto chicken ingredients

How To Make Pesto Chicken

This quick & flavor-packed pesto chicken recipe is so easy to make, it will instantly become a family favorite.

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F and place 4 chicken fillets in a baking dish (you can also use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper)
  2. Season each side of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brush the top of the chicken fillets with pesto sauce (about 1 Tbsp for each chicken breast). Add cherry tomatoes to the baking dish.
  3. Bake pesto chicken & tomatoes at 400 F for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meat thermometer reads 165 F.
  4. Remove from oven, sprinkle some pine nuts over the chicken. Serve the pesto baked chicken warm with your favorite side or salad.
pesto chicken recipe - process shots

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Don’t overcook it. Be careful not to overcook the chicken. If you have a meat thermometer, that’s the best way to perfectly cook chicken. It should register at 165F.
  • The chicken should be at room temperature before placing it in the oven so that it cooks evenly. I like to take the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before I plan to cook it.
  • Let it rest. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so that the juices redistribute.

What Do You Serve It With

This recipe for pesto chicken is great to serve with lots of different salads, potatoes, or veggies side dishes. Try it with:

above shot of pesto chicken bake on a white plate

Storing Tips

This basil pesto chicken is best served as soon as it is made so that the chicken is nice and juicy. If you have leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can slice the chicken and add it to salads, or gently reheat it in the oven or a skillet.

close up shot of basil pesto chicken on a white plate

Recipe FAQs

Can you make this recipe with chicken thighs?

I prefer to make this recipe with chicken cutlets or chicken breasts that are butterflied so that they cook through quickly. You can make pesto chicken thighs, but the cooking time will be slightly longer.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

If you enjoyed this Pesto Chicken recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

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pesto chicken on a white platter
5 from 5 votes

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Pesto Chicken

If you are looking for a low carb dinner that's easy to make and full of flavor, then this pesto chicken is for you! Ready to serve in less than 30 minutes, it's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Save This Recipe

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Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Delicious Meets Healthy.

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400 F and place 4 chicken fillets in a baking dish (you can also use baking sheet lined with parchment paper)
  • Season each side of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brush the top of the chicken fillets with pesto sauce (about 1 Tbsp for each chicken breast). Add cherry tomatoes to the baking dish.
  • Bake pesto chicken & tomatoes at 400 F for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meat thermometer reads 165 F.
  • Remove from oven, sprinkle some pine nuts over the chicken. Serve warm with your favorite side or salad.

Video

Notes

  • Don’t overcook it. Be careful not to overcook the chicken. If you have a meat thermometer, that’s the best way to perfectly cook chicken. It should register at 165F.
  • The chicken should be at room temperature before placing it in the oven so that it cooks evenly. I like to take the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before I plan to cook it.
  • Let it rest. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so that the juices redistribute.

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 642mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 624IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.

About Neli Howard

Meet Neli Howard, the food blogger and recipe developer behind Delicious Meets Healthy. With over 12 years of cooking experience, Neli shares easy, wholesome recipes made with real ingredients to help you cook stress-free, flavorful meals the whole family will love. Her work has been featured in Healthline, Forbes, CNN, and more.

5 from 5 votes

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5 Comments

  1. Dionne says:

    5 stars
    The chicken to fight for! Delicious dinner that looks so easy to make. Just what I love when looking for a recipe.

  2. Beth Sachs says:

    5 stars
    This is my kind of food. Easy, tasty and the whole family love it! Delicious!

  3. Kim Guzman says:

    5 stars
    This looks delicious and fresh. I love basil pesto. So delicious. This looks easy enough for any night of the week. I think this would work perfectly in aluminum foil packets on the grill too. I look forward to trying it. Thank you for the inspiration.

  4. Claudia Lamascolo says:

    5 stars
    I love how light and fresh this chicken looks perfect for us in this hot weather here in Florida!

  5. Alison says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is simple yet full of flavor! A great weeknight meal!