🍃 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
💚 Rich, creamy, and packed with fresh basil flavor — all in just 20 minutes.
This one-pan Creamy Pesto Chicken is quick, comforting, and tastes like a restaurant-quality meal with almost zero effort.
Juicy seared chicken breasts simmered in a velvety pesto cream sauce—simple, fresh, and ready in minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or pairing with pasta, veggies, or grains.
⏱ Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Additional Time: 2 minutes (resting)
- Cook Temperature: Medium heat (stovetop)
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Servings: 4
🧾 Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Creamy Pesto Sauce
- ½ cup basil pesto
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional but brightens flavor)
Optional Add-Ins
- Cherry tomatoes
- Spinach or kale
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil for garnish
Serve With (optional)
- Penne or spaghetti
- Steamed broccoli
- Cauliflower rice
- Roasted potatoes
- Mixed greens
👩🍳 Directions
- Season the chicken:
Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. - Sear the chicken:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chicken and cook 5–6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
Remove chicken and set aside. - Make the creamy pesto sauce:
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low.
Add pesto, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan.
Stir until smooth and gently bubbling. - Combine:
Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer 2–3 minutes. - Rest:
Remove from heat and let chicken rest 2 minutes for maximum tenderness. - Serve:
Plate the chicken with sauce and your choice of veggies, pasta, or grains.
📝 Recipe Notes & Variations
Protein Swaps
- Use boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
- Swap chicken with shrimp (5-minute cook time).
- Try thin pork cutlets for an Italian twist.
Lightened Version
- Replace heavy cream with:
- Half-and-half
- Evaporated milk
- Coconut milk (dairy-free)
Extra Veggie Options
- Zucchini rounds
- Roasted bell peppers
- Green beans
- Asparagus pieces
Pesto Tips
- Use refrigerated pesto for best flavor.
- Add lemon zest for brightness.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes for a richer sauce.
🍽️ Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
(Assuming the recipe makes 2 servings — values below are for 1 serving)
- Calories: 485
- Protein: 42g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Total Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
- Sodium: 580mg
- Sugar: 3g
- Vitamin A: 15% DV
- Vitamin C: 6% DV
- Calcium: 12% DV
- Iron: 8% DV
- Potassium: 620mg
🔧 Tools You’ll Need
- Large nonstick or stainless steel skillet — Get on Amazon
- Tongs — Get on Amazon
- Measuring cups and spoons — Get on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Get on Amazon
- Silicone spatula — Get on Amazon
