Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken is a simple and delicious dish featuring tender chicken cutlets simmered in a rich and silky pesto cream sauce. With minimal ingredients and quick preparation, it's perfect for an elevated yet easy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce
- 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thin cutlets. Season lightly with salt and pepper, keeping in mind that pesto can be salty, so you may want to add salt at the end.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken cutlets and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the pesto and heavy cream to the skillet and stir to combine into a creamy sauce.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken along with any juices on the plate back to the skillet. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and the sauce thickens. If the sauce reduces too much before the chicken is done, add a splash of water, white wine, or low sodium chicken broth to loosen it.
Notes
- Use light seasoning on the chicken initially because some pesto varieties are naturally salty.
- A splash of white wine or broth can enhance the sauce flavor and help if it thickens too quickly.
- This recipe serves 4 and can be paired with pasta, rice, or vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream for a dairy-free option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 507 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
