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Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes: 30-Minute Dinner


  • Author: Maria
  • Total Time: 35 minutes

Description

Make this Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes! A vibrant, flavorful one-pan meal that’s elegant, easy, and ready in 30 minutes


Ingredients

For the Chicken and Tomatoes:

  • 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

  • 1 pint Cherry or Grape Tomatoes

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, divided

  • Salt and Black Pepper, to taste

  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

For the Creamy Pesto Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil

  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced

  • ½ cup Chicken Broth

  • 1 cup Heavy Cream

  • ½ cup Basil Pesto (homemade or high-quality store-bought)

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese

  • Fresh Basil, for garnish


Instructions

Step 1: Roast the Tomatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a small baking sheet, toss the cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until the tomatoes are burst and slightly caramelized.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
While the tomatoes roast, pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

Step 4: Build the Sauce Base
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Pesto Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Whisk in the pesto and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and homogenous.

Step 6: Combine and Simmer
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Let them simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to heat through.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Top the chicken and sauce with the roasted cherry tomatoes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Large Oven-Safe Skillet

  • Small Baking Sheet

  • Tongs

  • Whisk

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 550 kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 40 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 40g