I adore incorporating pesto into my recipes because it effortlessly enhances the flavor, making it perfect for hectic weeknights. The Creamy Pesto Chicken is not only visually appealing but also incredibly quick and simple to prepare. It’s an ideal choice for a special “date night” dinner when you want to impress someone but also need an easy and fool-proof dish to calm your nerves. 😅
What Kind of Pesto to Use
One great thing about this dish is its versatility with pesto options. While I opted for basil pesto this time, red pesto would also be fantastic. Although pesto can be expensive, there are some more affordable brands available. Consider trying Alessi, Barilla, Classico, or Filippo Berio.
What Else Can I Add?
Elevate this dish with the addition of various ingredients that complement the exceptionally smooth pesto sauce. Enhance the flavors by incorporating spinach, artichokes, or broccoli to introduce an extra dose of vegetables. Alternatively, for a luxurious twist, generously sprinkle grated Parmesan on the top. If you’re feeling indulgent, consider adding bacon as well. 😏
What to Serve with Creamy Pesto Chicken
Make sure not to miss out on a single drop of the super rich and velvety sauce that accompanies this chicken. To fully savor it, pair the chicken with pasta, rice, or garlic bread. You can choose to spoon the chicken and sauce over a bed of pasta or rice, or alternatively serve the chicken and sauce in a bowl alongside some crusty bread for dipping.
Given the richness of the sauce, it is advisable to complement it with a light and refreshing accompaniment. Therefore, this presents an ideal occasion to prepare a straightforward side salad.
How to Make Creamy Pesto Chicken – Step by Step Photos
To make two thinner pieces, fillet two boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Alternatively, you can pound the chicken to an even thickness and then cut each piece in half horizontally, resulting in four portions. Ensure to season both sides of the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil and spread it across the surface. Place the chicken breast in the skillet and cook on both sides until they turn golden brown and are fully cooked (around 7-10 minutes in total). Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate.
After reducing the heat to medium-low, include the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 pint of grape tomatoes (halved), and 2 minced cloves of garlic. Proceed to sauté the tomatoes and garlic in the skillet for a few minutes until the tomatoes start to soften and lose their form.
To the skillet, incorporate ¼ cup of pesto and ½ cup of heavy cream. Stir the mixture until well combined. Let the sauce reach a simmer. Evaluate the flavor of the sauce and add salt or pepper as desired.
Place the chicken back into the skillet and ensure it is fully covered with the sauce. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a few additional minutes, or until it is thoroughly heated.
You won’t be able to resist licking your plate once you taste this incredibly creamy and delicious sauce!
