Description
Chicken and pesto bake comes together in just 5 minutes with juicy chicken, rich pesto, melty mozzarella, and fresh tomato slices, all baked to perfection. An easy dinner for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 6 oz. Jar Basil Pesto -(drained)
- 1 Large Tomato- (sliced)
- 6-8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Pearls (or fresh mozzarella diced into small pieces)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- OPTIONAL: Balsamic Glaze for serving
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 375°F.
Prep the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 0.8 inches. Season liberally with salt and black pepper.
Drain the Pesto: Scoop the 6 oz. jar of basil pesto into a fine mesh strainer. Press gently with the back of a spoon to remove excess oil, ensuring a thicker, more flavorful pesto.
Assemble the Dish: Place seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish. Spread each piece with a generous layer of the drained pesto.
Add Toppings: Top each pesto-coated chicken breast with a layer of mozzarella pearls (or diced mozzarella) and a slice of tomato.
Bake: Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), the cheese is melted, and the tomatoes are slightly caramelized. For a golden finish, broil for 1-2 minutes just before the chicken is done.
Serve: Remove cooked chicken from baking dish and arrange on a platter or individual plates. If using, drizzle each chicken breast with balsamic glaze and serve immediately.
Notes
Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
Drain the oil from the pesto before spreading it on the chicken. This prevents the chicken from soaking in oil and juices while cooking.
Vegetarian: Swap the chicken breasts for thick slices of eggplant or portobello mushroom
Dairy-Free: Replace the fresh mozzarella with a diary free cheese alternative that melts well. Make sure the pesto you are using is also-dairy free.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Fast and Easy
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken cutlet
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 0.9 g
- Sodium: 456.5 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.4 g
- Protein: 29.7 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg