Description
This Easy Pesto Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts baked to perfection with a vibrant and aromatic homemade basil pesto. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a simple and delicious meal that brings fresh Italian flavors to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Homemade Pesto
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper for balanced flavor.
- Make Pesto: In a blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Blend until smooth, creating a vibrant and aromatic pesto sauce.
- Apply Pesto: Spread half of the pesto evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts placed in the prepared baking dish. Reserve the remaining pesto for serving.
- Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Drizzle the reserved pesto over the cooked chicken before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh basil with store-bought pesto in a pinch, but homemade pesto offers a fresher taste.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for perfectly cooked chicken.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
- If chicken breasts are very thick, consider pounding them to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
