Creamy Red Pesto Oven Baked Chicken
Creamy Red Pesto Oven Baked Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that brings the warmth and rich flavors of Italian cuisine straight to your dinner table. This recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts enveloped in a luscious red pesto and cream sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese for an irresistible finish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this one-pan meal is easy to make and sure to impress your family and guests with its gourmet appeal. Pair it with pasta, rice, or a fresh salad for a delightful and complete meal.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time45 mins
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup red pesto sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian herbs.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and combine red pesto sauce and heavy cream. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over each piece and topping with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Let rest briefly before garnishing with fresh basil leaves and serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1piece of chicken with sauce (approximately 200g) | Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Unsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 850mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g