Cheesy Pesto Baked Chicken Recipe

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This Cheesy Pesto Baked Chicken is juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Tender chicken breasts are smothered in a rich basil pesto, topped with gooey melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then baked to perfection. It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Author: Beth
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baked
Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ cup (120 g) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Cherry tomatoes (optional, for baking alongside the chicken)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven:

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.

2. Season the chicken:

Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning on both sides.

3. Assemble the dish:

Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
Spread 1-2 tablespoons of pesto evenly over each piece of chicken.
Top each breast with shredded mozzarella and sprinkle Parmesan over the top for extra cheesiness.
Add cherry tomatoes around the chicken for extra flavor (optional).

4. Bake:

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Serve:

Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an extra drizzle of pesto if desired.
Serve with pasta, rice, or a fresh green salad.

Notes

Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
Add a layer of sun-dried tomatoes under the cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
Make it low-carb by serving with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

Find it online: https://ukfinda.com/cheesy-pesto-baked-chicken-recipe/