Description
A quick and indulgent weeknight dinner featuring seared chicken breasts in a rich, silky sauce made with fresh basil pesto, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1/2 cup (120g) fresh basil pesto
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Optional: 2 cups fresh spinach, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Lightly dust chicken with flour, shaking off any excess.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in pesto and heavy cream, whisking until smooth.
- Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Return chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- If using, add spinach or tomatoes and cook until spinach wilts.
- Serve immediately with pasta, crusty bread, or zucchini noodles.
Notes
Do not skip the flour dredge as it helps thicken the sauce and keeps chicken moist. Use low heat when adding cream to prevent separation. If using store-bought pesto, check for salt content as it can be salty. This dish does not freeze well due to the cream content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: creamy pesto chicken, weeknight dinner, 20 minute meals, easy chicken recipe, italian dinner, gluten-free options