There’s something about the rich, herby flavors swirling in this Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet Recipe that simply melts me every time I make it. It’s quick enough for weeknights but feels fancy enough for guests, which makes it an absolute winner in my kitchen.

A large black pan sits on a white marbled surface filled with creamy penne pasta and two rows of sliced cooked chicken arranged neatly in the center. The penne pasta is coated in a pale green pesto cream sauce, making the texture rich and smooth. The sliced chicken is light golden brown with a slightly crispy outside, while the inside stays white and juicy. Small green herb bits are sprinkled all over the chicken and pasta, adding bright color and freshness. To the top right, a wooden board holds a small brass grater and two pieces of pale yellow cheese. In the top left corner, bright green basil leaves add a fresh pop of color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this recipe is like a warm hug from your skillet. The combination of creamy sauce with vibrant pesto hits that perfect balance between comforting and fresh — plus it’s ridiculously easy to pull off with just one pan!

Quick & Easy: You’ll have dinner ready in about 25 minutes, perfect for busy evenings but still impressive.
One Skillet Wonder: Less cleanup, more flavor—you cook the chicken and sauce in the same pan, capturing every bit of goodness.
Deliciously Creamy Sauce: The pesto and heavy cream blend into a luscious sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
Customizable Flair: It’s a flexible recipe — you can tweak herbs, cheat with store-bought pesto, or add veggies to suit your style.

A close-up of a black pan with two light golden brown cooked chicken pieces partially covered in a thick creamy yellow sauce with green herbs. A silver spoon held by a woman's hand is drizzling the smooth sauce over the chicken. The sauce has tiny green flecks, and the chicken is garnished with small green herb bits. The pan sits on a white marbled surface, and a small glass bowl with green herbs is blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role — the simple flour coating locks in moisture, pesto infuses fresh basil flavor, and heavy cream wraps everything in that crave-worthy silkiness. Here’s a little insight into what to look for when shopping.

Flat lay of four raw boneless skinless chicken breasts arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely shredded parmesan cheese, a small white ceramic bowl holding creamy basil pesto with visible basil leaves, a small white ceramic bowl containing smooth heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with mixed salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, and a few sprigs of fresh green basil and parsley placed gracefully beside the bowls, all items placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Aim for evenly sized breasts so they cook evenly—pounding them thin helps too, which I’ll explain below!
All-purpose flour: Just enough for a light coating, which gives the chicken a slight crust without overpowering the sauce.
Salt, black pepper, garlic powder: Simple seasonings that highlight the chicken’s flavor without competing.
Basil pesto: You can’t beat the fresh herb punch here—homemade or store-bought both work, just pick a quality one with good basil and olive oil content.
Heavy cream: Adds that wonderful richness and creaminess; don’t substitute with milk or it won’t thicken properly.
Parmesan cheese: Brings a nutty, savory edge that melts beautifully over the chicken.
Fresh basil or parsley (optional): For a bright, fresh garnish that lifts the whole dish visually and flavor-wise.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet Recipe to suit different moods and seasons. Once you’ve nailed the base, it’s easy to add your own creative twists.

Variation: Sometimes I add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers to the sauce for a tangy kick — it totally changes up the flavor profile and feels like a fresh take.
Vegetarian twist: You can swap chicken for thick slices of grilled portobello mushrooms or cauliflower steaks and still get that creamy pesto goodness.
Extra veggies: Toss in some spinach or cherry tomatoes right before adding the chicken back to the skillet to make it a one-pan meal with greens included.
Make it lighter: Use half-and-half or crème fraîche instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but I find heavy cream gives the best texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Pound Your Chicken to Perfect Thickness

Lay out plastic wrap and place 1-2 chicken breasts between two layers. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound them to an even thickness about ½ inch thick. This is a game-changer because it helps the chicken cook evenly and stay juicy. I never skip this step — it really makes a difference.

Step 2: Season and Coat

Whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dredge the chicken breasts in this mixture, coating them well on all sides. The flour helps create a light crust and thickens the sauce just a bit.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken. Cook for about 5-8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F if you want to be precise). When done, transfer the chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce

In the same skillet, add your pesto and let it cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously as it warms and starts to bubble. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. The skillet will be glazed with all those delicious chicken drippings, infusing the sauce with extra flavor.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Return the chicken along with any juices from the plate back into the skillet. Sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese over the chicken and cook just until the cheese melts into that creamy sauce. Finish with a scattering of fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness right before serving.

Top Tip

I’ve made this dish more times than I can count, and a few little things really lifted it for me — here are my best tips so your creamy pesto chicken comes out perfect every time.

Even thickness is key: Don't skip pounding the chicken; this ensures even cooking and avoids dry edges or undercooked centers.
Don’t rush the sear: Let the chicken brown properly for that beautiful crust and deep flavor; medium heat is your friend here.
Use quality pesto: Whether you make it or buy it, fresh basil and real olive oil make a huge difference in the sauce's brightness.
Reserve juices: Adding the plate juices back to the sauce prevents wasted flavor and enriches the cream sauce beautifully.

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves or parsley—there’s just something about that bright green pop on the creamy sauce. Sometimes I add a few toasted pine nuts for crunch and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to elevate the flavors.

Side Dishes

For sides, I love serving this with garlic mashed potatoes or a simple lemony arugula salad to cut through the richness. Steamed asparagus or roasted broccoli also make great veggie partners without stealing the spotlight.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served the chicken on a big platter with extra sauce drizzled over and garnished with edible flowers and microgreens. It instantly makes it look fancy even though it’s the same straightforward recipe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge, ideally in an airtight container to keep that creamy sauce from drying out or absorbing other odors. It usually lasts well for 2-3 days, perfect for next-day lunches.

Freezing

Freezing works, but I find the texture is best if you freeze the sauce separately, then add fresh chicken when reheating. If you freeze the whole dish, thaw slowly overnight in the fridge to keep the sauce creamy and avoid separation.

Reheating

Low and slow is the way to go—I gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Adding a splash of cream or chicken broth helps revive the sauce if it thickens too much. Microwaving works, but watch out to not overcook the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will stay juicy and tender. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not as written, since it uses all-purpose flour for coating. To make it gluten-free, swap the flour for a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

You can pound and coat the chicken up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. The sauce is best made fresh, but leftovers reheat well, so you could prep the chicken early to save time later.

What’s the best pesto to use for this recipe?

Fresh homemade basil pesto is incredible if you have time, but good-quality store-bought pesto from the refrigerated section works very well and keeps this recipe super quick.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet Recipe has become a staple in my home for good reason — it’s fast, flavorful, and feels a little special without demanding hours in the kitchen. I’m confident you’ll find it a go-to dinner, whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself. Give it a try and let that lovely sauce do the talking!