Quick & Flavorful Pesto Chicken Parmesan Recipe for Beginners

Pesto chicken parmesan offers a delightful twist on a classic comfort food that upgrades an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Italian-inspired flavors dance together in this innovative culinary creation, blending traditional techniques with modern taste sensibilities.

Bold, vibrant green pesto adds a fresh, herbaceous dimension to the beloved cheesy chicken dish.

Layers of complex flavor profiles merge seamlessly, creating a harmonious and satisfying dining experience.

The combination elevates simple ingredients into a sophisticated yet approachable meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Crispy, golden-brown edges hint at the incredible texture waiting to be savored.

Home cooks can easily master this crowd-pleasing recipe that promises to impress family and friends.

Pesto Chicken Parmesan: A Flavor Combo You’ll Love

• Savor Flavor Explosion: The combination of pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and melted mozzarella creates a mouthwatering burst of Mediterranean-inspired flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: This recipe transforms simple chicken into a restaurant-quality dish in just 15 minutes, making you feel like a professional chef without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Enjoy Texture Perfection: Crispy breadcrumb-coated chicken meets creamy melted cheese and vibrant pesto, delivering a delightful contrast of crunchy exterior and tender, juicy interior that keeps every bite interesting.
• Customize with Ease: The flexible recipe allows quick modifications by swapping ingredients or serving with different sides, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or impressing unexpected guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Pesto Chicken Parmesan

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the base of the dish, best when fresh and butterflied for even cooking.

• Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Crispy coating that adds texture and rich, savory flavor to the chicken.
• Paprika, Dried Basil, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Aromatic seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates a rich, golden-brown crust and adds depth of flavor during cooking.
• Pesto Sauce: Herbaceous and creamy sauce that brings a vibrant green color and Italian-inspired taste.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Soft, melty cheese that provides a creamy and stretchy topping.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated, sweet-tangy ingredient that adds a burst of Mediterranean flavor.

Cooking Instructions for Chicken Parmesan

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Transformation

• Slice chicken breasts horizontally, creating butterfly-like fillets
• Gather breadcrumb coating ingredients
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Paprika
• Dried basil
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix all coating ingredients in a shallow dish

Gently press each chicken piece into the coating mixture, ensuring complete coverage on both sides

Step 2: Create Golden Crispy Exterior

Heat large skillet over medium flame

Add olive oil and butter to create a rich cooking surface

Carefully place coated chicken pieces into the skillet

Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown

Verify chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature using meat thermometer

Step 3: Layer Flavor Explosion

Reduce skillet heat to low

Spread generous layer of pesto across each chicken piece

• Mozzarella slice
• Chopped sun-dried tomatoes

Cover skillet and allow cheese to melt completely

Step 4: Plate and Celebrate

Transfer beautifully prepared chicken to serving plates

• Pasta
• Fresh garden salad
• Roasted vegetables

Garnish with fresh basil leaves

Serve immediately while warm and delicious.

Best Tips for Melty, Crispy Chicken

• Master Chicken Coating: Press breadcrumb mixture firmly into chicken to create a crispy, even layer that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Control Skillet Heat: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown crust without burning the chicken's delicate coating.
• Check Chicken Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe and perfectly juicy results.
• Melt Cheese Perfectly: Cover skillet with a lid to create steam, helping mozzarella melt smoothly and evenly over the chicken.
• Elevate Flavor Layers: Spread pesto generously before adding cheese to infuse each bite with rich, herbaceous notes from the sauce.

Storage Notes for Pesto Chicken

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover Pesto Chicken Parmesan to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Reheating Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Avoid overcooking to maintain juiciness.
• Microwave Option: For quick reheating, place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warm. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.

Pasta and Sides to Pair With

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complements the herbal pesto and rich cheese, cutting through the richness of the chicken.
• Match with Fresh Herb Salad: A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette balances the savory chicken, adding a bright, peppery contrast to the dish.
• Serve alongside Roasted Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread helps soak up the delicious pesto sauce and provides a crunchy texture that enhances the meal's overall experience.
• Complete with Zesty Caprese Side: A classic Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil mirrors the Italian flavors of the Pesto Chicken Parmesan, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Recipe Twists for Chicken Parmesan

• Zesty Mediterranean Spin: Replace pesto with sundried tomato tapenade and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version. Sprinkle with fresh oregano and red pepper flakes to enhance Mediterranean flavors.
• Herb Garden Remix: Swap traditional pesto with homemade basil and spinach pesto. Use fresh herb-infused breadcrumbs and top with goat cheese instead of mozzarella for a lighter, herbaceous profile.
• Spicy Southwest Transformation: Mix chipotle pesto into the breadcrumb coating. Top with pepper jack cheese and roasted green chiles. Serve with cilantro-lime rice for a bold, smoky southwestern experience.
• Light Keto Alternative: Use almond flour and crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs. Choose a low-carb pesto and replace mozzarella with aged provolone. Serve atop cauliflower rice for a protein-packed meal.

Pesto Chicken Parmesan Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Pesto chicken parmesan blends Italian culinary traditions with creamy, herbal comfort. Melted mozzarella and zesty pesto sauce create a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts, butterflied

Cheese:

• ¼ cup (59 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:

• ¾ cup (180 ml) breadcrumbs
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Wet Ingredients and Add-ins:

• ⅓ cup (79 ml) pesto sauce
• ¼ cup (59 ml) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter

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Instructions

1. Carefully butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally, creating evenly sized pieces that will cook uniformly.
2. Create a flavorful coating mixture by blending breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
3. Thoroughly press each chicken piece into the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage on both sides.
4. Warm a large skillet over medium heat, adding a combination of olive oil and butter to create a rich cooking base.
5. Gently place the coated chicken breasts into the heated skillet, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust for approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Verify the chicken’s doneness by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring both safety and optimal texture.
7. Reduce the skillet’s heat to low and generously spread pesto sauce across the surface of each chicken piece.
8. Layer a slice of mozzarella cheese over the pesto-covered chicken, then sprinkle chopped sun-dried tomatoes for added depth of flavor.
9. Cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt completely, creating a luscious, bubbling topping.
10. Carefully transfer the finished chicken to serving plates, accompanied by pasta, a crisp salad, or your preferred side dishes.
11. Garnish with additional fresh herbs or a light drizzle of pesto if desired, and serve immediately to enjoy the dish at its peak flavor and temperature.

Notes

• Butterfly chicken breasts carefully to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Create a flavorful breadcrumb coating by mixing Parmesan, spices, and herbs for a crunchy exterior.
• Use medium heat and a combination of olive oil and butter for golden, crispy chicken without burning.
• Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe and juicy meat.
• Layer pesto, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired twist on classic chicken Parmesan.
• Melt cheese slowly on low heat to prevent burning and achieve a perfectly gooey topping.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg