Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and tend to be even more forgiving and juicy. They may need an extra minute or two of cooking time, but follow the same process of cutting into thinner pieces or pounding to even thickness.Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and tend to be even more forgiving and juicy. They may need an extra minute or two of cooking time, but follow the same process of cutting into thinner pieces or pounding to even thickness.

What can I substitute for the white wine?

If you prefer not to use wine, chicken broth makes an excellent substitute. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to provide some of the acidity that wine would contribute. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.

My sauce is separating—what went wrong?

This typically happens when the heat is too high or the cream is too cold when added to the pan. To fix a broken sauce, remove from heat and whisk in a tablespoon of cold cream. Next time, ensure your cream is at room temperature and keep the heat at a gentle simmer.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

You can adapt this recipe using dairy-free alternatives. Try a cashew cream sauce and dairy-free pesto (without the Parmesan). Nutritional yeast can provide a cheesy flavor without the dairy. The texture and flavor will be different, but still delicious.

Pesto Chicken Recipe

Name: Pesto Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Kosher salt to taste; Freshly ground black pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons pesto; 1 tablespoon olive oil; ¼ cup dry white wine; ¾ cup heavy cream (room temperature); ½ cup pesto; 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved); 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese; Chopped fresh basil (optional, for serving)

This vibrant Pesto Chicken Recipe transforms simple chicken breasts into a restaurant-quality meal that’s bursting with Italian flavors. Tender chicken cutlets are coated in aromatic pesto, seared to perfection, and then finished in a rich, creamy sauce studded with bright cherry tomatoes. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish delivers a gourmet experience on busy weeknights without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Weeknight Wonder: This dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when you want something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of basil pesto, creamy sauce, and sweet cherry tomatoes creates layers of flavor that taste like they took hours to develop.
Impressive Presentation: Despite its simplicity, this dish looks stunning on a plate – perfect for both family dinners and entertaining guests.
Versatile: Easily adaptable to what you have on hand, and pairs beautifully with various sides from pasta to roasted vegetables.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken breasts: The star protein that becomes incredibly tender when sliced into cutlets. These thinner pieces cook quickly and evenly, absorbing more of the pesto flavor.
Pesto: The heart and soul of this dish, providing concentrated herbal, garlicky flavor that permeates the chicken and sauce. Store-bought works perfectly, but homemade takes it to another level if you have the time.
Olive oil: Used for searing the chicken, adding a subtle fruity note that complements the Mediterranean flavors.
White wine: Creates depth in the sauce and helps deglaze the pan, incorporating all those flavorful browned bits from cooking the chicken.
Heavy cream: Transforms the sauce into a luxurious, velvety blanket for the chicken. The richness balances the bright herbal notes of the pesto.
Cherry tomatoes: Add pops of sweet-tart flavor and beautiful color contrast. They burst slightly when cooked, releasing their juices into the sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Provides a salty, umami finish that ties all the flavors together. Always use freshly grated for the best texture and flavor.
Fresh basil: An optional garnish that reinforces the basil in the pesto and adds a fresh element to the finished dish.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances all the other flavors.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Different Proteins

Swap the chicken for boneless pork chops, firm white fish like cod or halibut, or even shrimp for a quicker cooking time.

Vegetable Additions

Enhance the nutritional profile by adding sautéed mushrooms, spinach, artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers to the sauce.

Cheese Options

Try swapping the Parmesan for crumbled feta, goat cheese, or small pieces of fresh mozzarella for different flavor profiles.

Different Pestos

Experiment with sun-dried tomato pesto, red pepper pesto, or arugula pesto for completely different flavor dimensions.

How to Make Pesto Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and slice horizontally to create four thin cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Place in a bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of pesto until each piece is well coated.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chicken cutlets, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Pour white wine into the same skillet and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine reduce slightly, about 1 minute. Add the heavy cream and remaining pesto, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Finish the Dish

Add halved cherry tomatoes to the sauce and cook just until warmed through, about 1-2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon some sauce over each piece. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped basil just before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Cream: Using cream at room temperature prevents it from curdling when added to the hot pan and creates a smoother sauce.
Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Thin cutlets cook quickly! They’ll continue cooking slightly when returned to the sauce, so it’s okay if they’re just barely done when you remove them from the pan initially.
Sauce Consistency: If your sauce gets too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or more cream to thin it. If too thin, simmer a bit longer.
Seasoning Balance: Taste your sauce before returning the chicken to the pan. Pesto and Parmesan are salty, so adjust additional seasoning carefully.
Pan Selection: Use a wide skillet with enough surface area to cook the chicken without crowding, which ensures proper browning.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This versatile dish pairs beautifully with many sides. Serve over angel hair pasta or with crusty bread to soak up the incredible sauce. For a lighter option, try it with roasted asparagus, a simple green salad, or cauliflower rice.

Wine Pairing

The creamy pesto sauce pairs wonderfully with a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer red, go for a light-bodied Pinot Noir.

Presentation

For an impressive presentation, plate the chicken with sauce spooned over the top, scatter fresh halved cherry tomatoes around the plate, and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, and basil leaves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled pesto chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often develop further overnight, making leftovers particularly delicious.

Freezing

While you can freeze this dish, the cream sauce may separate slightly when thawed. For best results, cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Gently reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, microwave at 50% power in short intervals, stirring between each until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and tend to be even more forgiving and juicy. They may need an extra minute or two of cooking time, but follow the same process of cutting into thinner pieces or pounding to even thickness.Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and tend to be even more forgiving and juicy. They may need an extra minute or two of cooking time, but follow the same process of cutting into thinner pieces or pounding to even thickness.
What can I substitute for the white wine?

If you prefer not to use wine, chicken broth makes an excellent substitute. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to provide some of the acidity that wine would contribute. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
My sauce is separating—what went wrong?

This typically happens when the heat is too high or the cream is too cold when added to the pan. To fix a broken sauce, remove from heat and whisk in a tablespoon of cold cream. Next time, ensure your cream is at room temperature and keep the heat at a gentle simmer.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?

You can adapt this recipe using dairy-free alternatives. Try a cashew cream sauce and dairy-free pesto (without the Parmesan). Nutritional yeast can provide a cheesy flavor without the dairy. The texture and flavor will be different, but still delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Pesto Chicken Recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that feels special enough for company but easy enough for any weeknight. The vibrant colors and flavors bring the essence of Italian cooking to your table with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for family or entertaining friends, this dish is sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation. The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and bright tomatoes creates a meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!