Description
Creamy Skillet Pesto Chicken is a quick and decadent dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich basil pesto and creamy parmesan sauce, ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce and Garnish
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and place 1-2 chicken breasts on it. Cover with another piece of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even thickness. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
- Coat the chicken: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Dip each chicken breast in the flour mixture until fully coated.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 8 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly browned. Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover with foil, and set aside.
- Make the sauce: To the same skillet, add the basil pesto and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream and heat until warmed through and beginning to bubble. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and finish: Return the chicken along with any accumulated juices to the skillet. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken and cook until the cheese melts. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- This dish comes together quickly and is perfect for a delicious dinner in under 30 minutes.
- You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, though the sauce may be less thick.
- If fresh basil or parsley aren't available, dried herbs can be used but add them earlier in the sauce to bloom their flavor.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a light salad to balance the richness of the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast
- Calories: 474 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1056 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 147 mg
