Easy 3 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Recipes

PESTO CHICKEN RECIPE WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Pat chicken breast cutlets dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides. (Boneless skinless chicken breasts can be used, simply cut them in half horizontally so that you have thinner pieces. Watch the video to see how I do this).
• In large cast iron skillet, heat a little bit of extra virgin olive oil (about 2 tbsp) until shimmering but not smoking in a cast iron skillet. Add chicken to the heated skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, turning over once. Remove from the skillet and set aside for now.
• If needed, add a little bit more extra virgin olive oil to the skillet. Add zucchini, bell peppers, onion, and grape tomatoes. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes or so, tossing occasionally, until the veggies have softened.
• In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, mix together the basil pesto and cream.
• Add the chicken back to the skillet. Pour the pesto and cream mixture in. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for a minute or so.
• Remove the skillet from the heat, add lemon juice and lemon zest. Add pine nuts and fresh basil for garnish. Serve hot with your favorite grain or plain orzo pasta.

3-INGREDIENT PESTO CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Slice the chicken into halves, so you end up with thinner cutlets. Then season both sides with salt and pepper.
• Now add the olive oil into a skillet and bring the heat to medium high.
• Cook the chicken on both sides, then transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
• In the same pan, toss in the cherry tomatoes and stir them gently for about 1 minute just until they look blistered. Then add in the pesto.
• Now add the chicken back in. Stir until everything is combined. Add more pesto on top of the chicken if you prefer more.

EASY PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the chicken dry and trim off any excess fat if needed. If your chicken breast is much larger than 4-5 ounces, you may need to slice it in half lengthwise to get a 4-5 ounce portion (chicken breasts can be very thick and large). The chicken will cook more evenly if each piece of chicken is similar size. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Spread 1/4 cup of the pesto into the bottom of a square baking dish. Place the chicken breasts in the dish and cover them with the remaining pesto. If using the mozzarella, place a 1-ounce slice on top of each piece of chicken.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 22-26 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. If you want the mozzarella brown and bubbly, turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes.
• If using the fresh mozzarella, remove the chicken from the oven at 20 minutes (or when it reaches about 160 degrees) and place back in the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes

3-INGREDIENT PESTO FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pour oil into a large heavy skillet fitted with thermometer to come 1/2" up sides. Heat over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°F. Place breadcrumbs in a shallow dish or rimmed baking sheet.
• Season chicken all over with salt and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread 1/4 cup pesto all over chicken. Dip chicken into breadcrumbs, turning to coat and pressing with your fingertips to adhere.
• Carefully add chicken to hot oil, then reduce heat to medium. Fry 4 minutes, then flip and continue to fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack.
• Serve chicken with pesto alongside for dipping.

3-INGREDIENT PESTO-GRILLED CHICKEN WITH PEACHES

Steps:

• Whisk 1 1/2 cups pesto, 1/2 cup oil, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Add chicken to bowl and slide your hand between skin and meat to loosen skin. Rub half of pesto mixture under skin, then half over outside. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat or heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high; oil grate or pan. Season chicken with remaining 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Grill chicken, skin side down, covered, until golden brown and lightly charred, 7-9 minutes. Turn and grill until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Brush peach halves with oil. Reduce heat to medium and grill peaches, cut side down, until warmed through, 2-3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk remaining 1/4 cup pesto and 2 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl. Arrange chicken and peaches on a platter and drizzle pesto sauce over. Serve remaining sauce alongside.

EASY PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350° F and grease a 9x13 glass baking dish.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, creating 4 thinly sliced chicken pieces. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Spread the pesto evenly on top of the chicken. Sprinkle desired amount of parmesan on top.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Serve over rice and with a veggie of choice (I like broccoli or asparagus with this).

EASY PESTO CHICKEN SKILLET

Steps:

• Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir for about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer chicken to a bowl and keep warm.
• Pour chicken broth into the skillet and add gemelli. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 8 minutes. Add broccoli and cook, stirring occasionally, until completely cooked, about 5 more minutes.
• Add tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese, whipping cream, and pesto until combined. Return chicken to the skillet and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.