Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken is a simple yet elegant dish featuring tender chicken cutlets simmered in a rich and silky pesto cream sauce. This recipe uses just five ingredients and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper to taste
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce
- 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 4 thinner cutlets. Season them lightly with salt and pepper, keeping in mind that some pestos are salty, so you may want to wait to adjust salt later.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken cutlets and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate.
- Make the sauce and simmer: Reduce heat to medium. Add the pesto and heavy cream to the skillet, stirring until well combined. Return the chicken and any juices from the plate back into the skillet. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce thickens. If the sauce reduces too much before the chicken is done, add a splash of water, white wine, or low sodium chicken broth to loosen it.
- Serve: Once cooked through and sauce has thickened nicely, remove from heat and serve immediately for a creamy, flavorful dish.
Notes
- This recipe is incredibly easy and quick, perfect for busy nights.
- If your pesto is very salty, adjust salt at the end to avoid over-seasoning.
- You can substitute the heavy cream with a lighter cream or a non-dairy alternative for a different twist.
- Adding a splash of white wine or broth enhances the sauce flavor and helps control thickness.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables to complete the meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 507 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
