Description
This creamy pesto chicken recipe features tender chicken cutlets simmered in a rich, flavorful pesto cream sauce. Made with just five simple ingredients, it’s an easy yet elegant dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 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 cutlets: Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner cutlets. Season them lightly with salt and pepper, being cautious with the salt as some pesto can be salty.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken cutlets and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the pesto cream sauce: Reduce the heat to medium, then add the pesto and heavy cream to the same skillet. Stir until well combined.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the chicken along with any juices from the plate to the skillet. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce has thickened. If the sauce gets too thick before the chicken is cooked, add a splash of water, white wine, or low sodium chicken broth to loosen it.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the creamy pesto chicken immediately, spooning extra sauce over the top.
Notes
- Be cautious when salting the chicken since pesto can already be salty.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, add additional liquid like water, wine, or broth while simmering.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a full meal.
- Use fresh pesto for the brightest flavor or a high-quality store-bought pesto for convenience.
- Checking the internal temperature ensures the chicken is safely cooked without drying it out.
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
