Description
Homemade pesto chicken delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Fresh basil, tender chicken, and parmesan cheese create a simple Mediterranean-inspired meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 34 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 cup basil leaves (fresh)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin)
- 2 tbsps lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Thoroughly pat chicken breasts with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then generously season both surfaces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Create a vibrant pesto sauce by blending fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh lemon juice until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Spread approximately half of the prepared pesto evenly across the seasoned chicken breasts, ensuring complete coverage in the baking dish.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, monitoring the internal chicken temperature until it precisely reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Remove chicken from the oven and let it rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, which helps maintain moisture and tenderness.
- Finish the dish by drizzling the remaining pesto sauce over the cooked chicken just before serving, enhancing its fresh herbaceous flavor profile.
Notes
- Customize pesto by swapping basil with other herbs like cilantro or parsley for unique flavor profiles.
- Ensure chicken breasts are similar thickness to guarantee even cooking and prevent dryness.
- Reduce calories by using Greek yogurt instead of olive oil in pesto or choosing low-fat Parmesan cheese.
- Make dish gluten-free and dairy-free by replacing Parmesan with nutritional yeast and using pine nut or sunflower seed alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 34
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg