Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes is a flavorful Italian-American dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich basil pesto and Parmesan cream sauce, paired perfectly with sweet, caramelized roasted cherry tomatoes. This easy stovetop and oven-roasted recipe is ideal for a quick yet elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Roasted Tomatoes
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Sauce
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Roast the Tomatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast them for 15–20 minutes until they are blistered and slightly caramelized, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Prepare and Sear the Chicken: While tomatoes roast, season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce: Turn the heat down to medium. Into the same skillet, add the basil pesto, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir the mixture continuously and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy pesto sauce over the chicken, then let everything simmer together for another 2–3 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the chicken topped with the roasted cherry tomatoes and garnish with fresh basil if using. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or cauliflower mash for a complete meal.
Notes
- Serve over your choice of pasta, rice, or cauliflower mash to make the meal more filling.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- You can make your own pesto at home for a fresher taste or use store-bought for convenience.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and tomatoes
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
