Get ready for another one of my famous stovetop chicken dinner recipes! From Marry Me Chicken to Chicken Piccata, to Chicken Stroganoff, all of the best dinner recipes start with thinly sliced chicken breasts and a large skillet. My newest creation uses the same tried and true one-skillet format, but uses homemade basil pesto to infuse the creamy sauce with an herbaceous flavor that is just so delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients In Creamy Pesto Chicken
Here’s what you need to make this tasty chicken dinner:
Chicken Breasts: This recipe uses 1 pound of chicken. Slice breasts lengthwise into thin cutlets so that they cook quickly and evenly. Pesto: Please, do not make this recipe with store-bought jarred pesto. It’s just not worth it! Use my recipe to make homemade basil pesto with just a handful of fresh ingredients. Heavy Cream Garlic Cherry Tomatoes: These flavorful tomatoes are briefly cooked to release their juices, and the acidity balances the richness of the cream perfectly.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Pesto Chicken
Recipe Tips
Use Fresh Pesto! I know I’ve said this already, but it’s really, really important. Storebought pesto is sad and yellow-looking, but homemade pesto is amazing! Instead of chicken breast: Use boneless skinless chicken thighs that have been trimmed and pounded to an even thickness. You can also use chicken tenderloins. Add in some veggies: You can add vegetables directly to this pesto chicken dish! Saute peppers, zucchini, onions, or mushrooms with the tomatoes, or toss in a handful of baby spinach at the end to wilt down into the sauce. Choose the Right Skillet: This recipe can be made in any large skillet, but I like to use a stainless steel skillet. If you’re worried about food sticking to your skillet, the key is to get the pan very hot. To check to see if your stainless steel skillet is hot enough, preheat the pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, then pour a tiny bit of water into it. If the water fizzes or does nothing, the pan isn’t hot enough, but if the water slides around the pan in a single drop, you’ve reached the right temperature. Always Deglaze The Pan: The browned bits of food are called “the fond” in culinary speak. The stuff stuck to the bottom of the pan holds so much great flavor.
Storing Tips
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What To Serve With Creamy Pesto chicken
I enjoy this chicken meal with olive oil pasta and a side of broccoli, but it will be delicious with any simple sides you choose to serve with it. Try mashed potatoes, air fryer roasted potatoes, or brown rice for a filling side dish. Or enjoy pesto chicken with some garlic bread or breadsticks to soak up all of the delicious sauce. For dessert, I suggest something simple and sweet, like my sopapilla cheesecake or Biscoff cheesecake bars. Fresh basil pesto makes this easy, Creamy Pesto Chicken recipe so amazingly delicious! Make sure to save this recipe, and share it with everyone so that they can all enjoy how tasty it is. © Little Sunny Kitchen
