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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Carefully butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally, creating evenly sized pieces that will cook uniformly.
- Create a flavorful coating mixture by blending breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
- Thoroughly press each chicken piece into the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage on both sides.
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat, adding a combination of olive oil and butter to create a rich cooking base.
- 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.
- Verify the chicken’s doneness by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring both safety and optimal texture.
- Reduce the skillet’s heat to low and generously spread pesto sauce across the surface of each chicken piece.
- Layer a slice of mozzarella cheese over the pesto-covered chicken, then sprinkle chopped sun-dried tomatoes for added depth of flavor.
- Cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt completely, creating a luscious, bubbling topping.
- Carefully transfer the finished chicken to serving plates, accompanied by pasta, a crisp salad, or your preferred side dishes.
- 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