Description
Creamy Skillet Pesto Chicken is a luscious and decadent dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a fragrant basil pesto cream sauce, topped with melted parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's a perfect flavorful meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- Fresh basil or parsley (chopped, optional)
Others
- Olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and place 1-2 chicken breasts on it. Place another piece of plastic wrap on top and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even thickness. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.
- Coat the Chicken: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Dip each chicken breast into the flour mixture, coating all sides evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 8 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly browned. Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the basil pesto and cook for 1-2 minutes over medium heat until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce is warmed through and just starting to bubble. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken and any juices from the plate back into the skillet. Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken and cook until the cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish the creamy pesto chicken with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Use a meat mallet to ensure even chicken thickness for uniform cooking.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream for a lighter or dairy-free option.
- Pair this dish with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Fresh basil or parsley garnish adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast
- Calories: 474 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1056 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 147 mg
