Heavenly Creamy Pesto Chicken Recipe for Dreamy Dinners

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy pesto chicken recipe delivers pure magic in minutes.

Tender chicken breasts swim in a luxurious sauce that promises instant comfort.

Rich basil pesto blends seamlessly with velvety cream, creating layers of irresistible flavor.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of herbaceous and savory notes that dance across your palate.

The dish comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something impressive yet simple.

Minimal ingredients, maximum satisfaction – this recipe will become your new go-to meal for guaranteed smiles around the table.

Dive into this culinary adventure and savor every delectable moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 22-24 minutes

Total Time: 32-34 minutes

Calories: 470 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Creamy Pesto Chicken

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs flavors beautifully, choose fresh cuts with minimal visible fat for best texture.
• Italian Seasoning: Aromatic herb blend that adds depth and warmth to the chicken, look for a mix with vibrant green herbs.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that bring out the natural taste of chicken and balance the overall dish.

• Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet, foundational flavor that caramelizes beautifully when sautéed.
• Garlic: Adds intense, pungent flavor that complements the creamy sauce, select firm cloves without sprouts.
• Bell Peppers: Brings crisp texture and colorful visual appeal, choose peppers that are firm and glossy.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Delivers concentrated, tangy sweetness that cuts through the richness of the cream.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base and adds subtle fruity undertone, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce that coats ingredients perfectly, opt for high-quality cream.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce, low-sodium version allows better control of saltiness.
• Basil Pesto: Infuses vibrant herbaceous flavor, select fresh or high-quality jarred pesto.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, aromatic garnish that adds fresh herbal note.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty finish, grate fresh for most intense flavor.

Cooking Tools for This Creamy Classic

• Large 12-inch nonstick skillet: Perfect for cooking chicken and sautéing vegetables evenly.
• Mixing bowl: Essential for whisking cream, broth, and pesto together smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce ingredients thoroughly without lumps.
• Knife: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, bell peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Useful for accurately measuring seasonings and oil.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
• Cheese grater: Helps create fresh parmesan cheese for garnishing.

Instructions for Creamy Pesto Chicken

• Chicken Preparation

Sizzle chicken strips in a hot skillet with olive oil, seasoning them with Italian herbs. Cook until golden and fully done, then set aside.

• Flavor Foundation

Whip together a creamy sauce combining rich cream, zesty broth, and aromatic pesto. Let the flavors dance and mingle.

• Vegetable Symphony

Revive the skillet with another splash of olive oil. Sauté onions until they turn translucent, then introduce garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss in colorful bell peppers and cook until they soften.

• Sauce and Reunion

Pour the silky pesto sauce into the skillet, creating a gentle simmer. Return the chicken to the pan, allowing everything to warm and merge into a harmonious blend.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan and delicate basil leaves over the dish, adding a burst of color and incredible taste. Serve immediately for maximum enjoyment.

Flavor Tweaks for Cream & Pesto Balance

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Protein Swap: Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or white fish for a delightful seafood or vegetarian twist that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Spice Level Control: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to give the creamy sauce a gentle kick that awakens the taste buds without overwhelming the delicate pesto flavors.
• Veggie Boost: Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or asparagus to increase nutritional value and create more texture in the dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken and sauce separately, then combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables instead of traditional pasta for a lighter, more diet-friendly meal that doesn't compromise on flavor.

Best Ways to Serve This Dish

• Pasta Paradise: Serve this creamy pesto chicken over a bed of al dente linguine or fettuccine for a classic Italian-inspired meal that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Salad Sidekick: Pair the dish with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy sauce and add a fresh, zesty contrast.
• Crusty Companion: Grab a warm, crusty artisan bread or garlic toast to soak up the delicious pesto cream sauce, ensuring not a single drop goes to waste.
• Wine Wellness: Complement the dish with a chilled glass of crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, which will beautifully highlight the herb and tomato notes of the recipe.

How to Cool and Store Creamy Chicken

• Quick Batch Prep: Cook extra chicken strips during initial preparation and store separately for fast weeknight meals. Separate the chicken from sauce to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Transfer leftovers into airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed dishes remain delicious for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below. Ensure containers are shallow for even cooling and faster chilling.
• Smart Freezing Technique: This creamy pesto chicken freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Separate sauce and chicken before freezing to prevent separation. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or thawed meals slowly in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore sauce's creamy consistency. Stir gently to prevent breaking the sauce and maintain the original rich flavor profile.

Indulgent Pesto Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 32-34 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savory pesto chicken delivers a Mediterranean-inspired culinary delight packed with herbal notes and rich flavors. Cheesy, garlicky sauce coats tender chicken, creating a luxurious dinner perfect for weekend gatherings you’ll want to savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 3 tbsps basil pesto
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 small bell peppers, cut into long thin strips (any color)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup (75 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) low sodium chicken broth
• Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
• Grated parmesan, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare Skillet: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium flame, lightly coating with olive oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavor infusion.
2. Season Chicken: Thoroughly coat chicken strips with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper, ensuring an even distribution of robust seasonings.
3. Cook Chicken: Sear chicken pieces until golden and fully cooked, approximately 7-8 minutes, then set aside on a separate plate to rest.
4. Create Sauce: Whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, and pesto in a separate bowl, blending ingredients into a smooth, harmonious mixture.
5. Sauté Aromatics: Reintroduce skillet to heat, adding olive oil and sautéing onions until translucent, then incorporate garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
6. Vegetable Preparation: Add bell peppers to the skillet, cooking until they soften and develop a slight caramelization, releasing their natural sweetness.
7. Combine Elements: Pour the prepared pesto sauce into the skillet, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer, then return cooked chicken strips to warm and absorb the creamy sauce.
8. Garnish and Serve: Finish the dish by sprinkling freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped basil, creating a visually appealing and flavor-packed culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Sear for Color: Golden-brown exterior locks in chicken’s moisture and develops rich, complex flavor profiles.
• Sauce Whisking Technique: Blend ingredients thoroughly to ensure smooth, even distribution of cream, broth, and pesto without lumps.
• Vegetable Timing: Stagger vegetable additions to prevent burning and maintain distinct texture – onions first, then garlic, followed by sun-dried tomatoes and bell peppers.
• Cheese and Herb Finish: Fresh parmesan and basil transform the dish’s visual and taste experience, adding brightness and depth in the final moments of preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 22-24 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg