Description
Juicy chicken breasts smothered in vibrant basil pesto and topped with melty mozzarella. Perfect for weeknights or entertaining, this Southern-inspired twist on a rustic Italian classic delivers bold flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
Olive oil for searing or drizzling
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F or heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Pat chicken dry and slice in half if thick; season with salt and pepper.
3. Sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
4. Remove from heat and spread 1–2 tbsp pesto over each piece. Sprinkle cheese if using.
5. Transfer skillet to oven and bake 10–12 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and cheese is bubbly.
6. Rest 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle more pesto on top if desired.
Notes
Grill the chicken first for smoky flavor, then brush pesto during the final minutes.
Serve with garlic butter pasta, roasted vegetables, or fresh salad.
Add lemon zest or crushed red pepper to spice it up.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: pesto chicken, baked chicken, easy dinner, Southern twist, basil pesto