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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare Skillet: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium flame, lightly coating with olive oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavor infusion.
- Season Chicken: Thoroughly coat chicken strips with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper, ensuring an even distribution of robust seasonings.
- Cook Chicken: Sear chicken pieces until golden and fully cooked, approximately 7-8 minutes, then set aside on a separate plate to rest.
- Create Sauce: Whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, and pesto in a separate bowl, blending ingredients into a smooth, harmonious mixture.
- 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.
- Vegetable Preparation: Add bell peppers to the skillet, cooking until they soften and develop a slight caramelization, releasing their natural sweetness.
- 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.
- 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