Description
Indulge in the mouthwatering Creamy Red Pesto Oven Baked Chicken, a dish that transforms simple chicken breasts into a rich and flavorful meal. Coated in a luxurious blend of red pesto and heavy cream, this recipe captures the essence of Italian cuisine while being incredibly easy to prepare. Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, it delivers comfort with every bite. The one-pan approach not only keeps cleanup to a minimum but also allows for an impressive presentation. Pair it with your favorite sides like pasta or roasted vegetables, and watch as it becomes a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup red pesto sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian herbs.
- In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and sear chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and mix red pesto sauce with heavy cream. Heat through for about 2-3 minutes.
- Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over each piece, and top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Let rest before serving; garnish with fresh basil if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (250g)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 150mg