Description
This Pesto Chicken recipe features tender chicken cutlets cooked in a flavorful garlic and tomato pesto sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. It’s a simple yet elegant dish perfect for a weeknight dinner that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Cooking Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
- 1 (10 ounce) package little tomatoes (grape or cherry), cut into halves
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- Fresh basil (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and position the oven rack in the top third to prepare for finishing the chicken under heat.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, creating 4 thin cutlets. Season each piece with garlic powder, salt, and pepper thoroughly to enhance flavor.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, cook the chicken cutlets for 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown but not fully cooked. Transfer them to a plate to rest.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic, chicken broth or white wine, halved tomatoes, pesto, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the Sauce: Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan and cook the mixture for 3-5 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down and release their juices, creating a flavorful sauce.
- Assemble the Dish: Remove the skillet from heat. Return the chicken cutlets to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Generously top each chicken cutlet with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Finish in the Oven: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes. Then switch to the broil setting and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely, to brown the cheese without burning. Alternatively, you can bake the chicken for about 7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) without broiling.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves to add a burst of fresh flavor. Serve immediately, preferably with side dishes that absorb the rich sauce such as mashed potatoes or rice.
Notes
- Cutting the chicken breasts into thin cutlets ensures even cooking and tenderness.
- Use either chicken broth or dry white wine depending on your preference; both add depth to the sauce.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to avoid burning the mozzarella cheese.
- Pesto can be store-bought or homemade for a fresher taste.
- Ideal side dishes include mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
