Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish featuring tender chicken cutlets cooked in a rich and silky pesto cream sauce. With just five main ingredients, this recipe is perfect for a quick and elevated dinner that combines savory seared chicken with the bright taste of fresh pesto and creamy heaviness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner cutlets. Season lightly with salt and pepper, taking care not to oversalt since pesto can be salty.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken cutlets and sear each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove chicken and place on a plate.
- Make the sauce and finish chicken: Lower the heat to medium and add pesto and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until combined. Return the chicken along with any accumulated juices from the plate to the skillet. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked (reaching 165°F) and the sauce thickens. Add a splash of water, white wine, or low sodium chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce during cooking.
Notes
- Use store-bought pesto for convenience or your favorite homemade pesto.
- Adjust salt carefully as pesto varieties can vary in saltiness.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through by checking that internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- If the sauce thickens too much before the chicken is done, add a splash of liquid to loosen it up.
- This recipe pairs well with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a full 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
