This Easy Baked Pesto Chicken is a simple, hands-off dinner that’s full of flavor. Tender chicken strips are covered with a layer of pesto and melted mozzarella cheese, baked until bubbly and golden. Ready in just 40 minutes, this recipe is a go-to for busy nights and is perfect when served over rice, couscous, or pasta.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-7 oz each)

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the chicken: Cut each chicken breast into 3 strips. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 9×12 baking dish with cooking spray and spread ¼ cup of pesto on the bottom.

4. Assemble the dish: Place the chicken strips in the baking dish and top with the remaining pesto.

5. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Optionally, broil for 2-3 minutes to lightly brown the cheese.

6. Serve: Drizzle the juices from the bottom of the dish over the chicken and serve hot.

Nutrients

• Calories: 247 kcal per serving

• Carbohydrates: 5g

• Protein: 18g

• Fat: 17g

  • Saturated Fat: 5g

• Cholesterol: 39mg

• Sodium: 516mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 2g

Why Easy Baked Pesto Chicken Works

This dish is beloved for its simplicity and the incredible flavor it delivers with minimal effort. The pesto, with its combination of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan, infuses the chicken with a rich, herby flavor. The melted mozzarella cheese adds a creamy, indulgent texture that complements the savory pesto perfectly.

The best part about Easy Baked Pesto Chicken is how hands-off it is. The oven does most of the work, and all you need to do is assemble the ingredients and let them bake. You don’t have to worry about flipping or constant stirring—just bake, sprinkle with cheese, and let it melt to perfection. It’s an excellent choice when you need a dinner that’s quick to prepare but doesn’t skimp on flavor.

The Chicken: Tender and Juicy

The chicken breasts in this dish are the perfect canvas for the pesto and cheese. By cutting the chicken breasts into strips, you ensure that they cook quickly and evenly, making this a relatively fast dish. The chicken remains juicy and tender in the baking process, especially when it’s cooked in the flavorful juices from the pesto and cheese. This method of baking helps to retain the moisture in the chicken, creating a succulent base for the pesto and mozzarella to melt into.

The seasoning of salt and pepper adds just the right amount of flavor to the chicken, enhancing the richness of the pesto and mozzarella without overpowering them. The result is perfectly seasoned chicken with a creamy, herbaceous topping.

Pesto: The Flavor Booster

Pesto is the star of this dish, and it’s incredibly easy to make or buy. If you’re short on time, store-bought pesto works perfectly well, but homemade pesto will add a fresher, more vibrant flavor to the dish. The pesto is spread over the chicken in two layers—once on the bottom of the baking dish and once on top of the chicken strips—allowing the chicken to soak up all of its delicious flavors.

Pesto, made from fresh basil, garlic, parmesan, pine nuts, and olive oil, brings a fresh, herbal flavor with a slight nuttiness and a richness from the olive oil and cheese. This combination of flavors infuses the chicken and creates a savory, aromatic base that works wonderfully with the creamy mozzarella cheese.

Mozzarella: The Creamy, Melty Topping

The addition of mozzarella cheese takes this dish to the next level. As the chicken bakes, the mozzarella melts into a gooey, creamy layer that adds texture and richness to the dish. The mozzarella’s mild flavor complements the basil pesto without overpowering it, creating a balanced and comforting dish.

If you prefer a more indulgent finish, broiling the chicken for a few minutes at the end of baking helps the cheese get lightly browned and crispy on top, giving it a beautiful golden color and a deliciously crispy layer. This extra step adds a slight crunch to the dish, adding even more depth to its textures.

Baking the Chicken: A Simple Process

The process of baking the chicken is straightforward. After preparing the chicken strips and spreading a layer of pesto in the baking dish, the chicken is topped with the remaining pesto and covered with foil. This ensures that the chicken remains moist while baking. The foil traps steam, allowing the chicken to cook through without drying out.

After 25 minutes in the oven, the foil is removed, and mozzarella cheese is sprinkled on top. The dish is returned to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely. If you want to add a little extra crispiness to the cheese, you can broil it for 2–3 minutes to get a light golden-brown crust.

Serving Suggestions

Easy Baked Pesto Chicken is versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a classic, comforting option, serve the chicken over rice, which will soak up the delicious pesto juices. Couscous is another great option, offering a light and fluffy base that complements the rich chicken. If you’re craving pasta, this dish pairs beautifully with a simple spaghetti or fettuccine tossed in olive oil or a light sauce.

You could also serve this dish with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a lighter, healthier option. The creamy, savory chicken pairs well with something bright and fresh, providing a balanced meal that’s both indulgent and nutritious.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each serving of Easy Baked Pesto Chicken contains approximately 247 calories, making it a relatively light meal. The dish has 17g of fat, much of which comes from the pesto and mozzarella cheese. The protein content is high at 18g per serving, making it a great choice for those looking to get a good amount of protein in their diet.

The carbohydrate count is relatively low at 5g per serving, making it a good option for those following low-carb or keto diets. The fiber content is 1g, thanks to the pesto’s basil and the chicken’s natural nutrients. The sodium content is 516mg per serving, so it’s important to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe to taste, especially if you’re using store-bought pesto, which can be higher in sodium.

Conclusion: A Quick, Flavorful, and Satisfying Meal

In conclusion, Easy Baked Pesto Chicken is a fantastic option for busy weeknights when you need something quick, flavorful, and satisfying. The tender chicken, creamy mozzarella cheese, and vibrant pesto create a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a family favorite. It’s incredibly easy to make, with minimal hands-on time, and can be served over a variety of sides for a complete meal. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, this dish is sure to impress with its simple yet indulgent flavors.