This creamy pesto chicken recipe pairs thin, golden-seared chicken breasts and grape tomatoes with a smooth basil pesto cream sauce. Everything cooks in one skillet in 25 minutes, making it an easy way to serve chicken with creamy pesto sauce on a normal weeknight.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Pesto Chicken
- Pesto-Forward Sauce: More pesto than cream keeps the basil flavor noticeable while the broth creates a smooth consistency.
- Evenly Cooked Chicken: Slicing the breasts into thinner pieces helps them cook quickly without requiring a long simmer.
- One-Skillet Method: The sauce develops in the same pan used to sear the chicken, keeping the method and cleanup manageable.
- Ready in 25 Minutes: The chicken, tomatoes, and creamy pesto sauce come together fast enough for a weeknight dinner.
This has become one of the skillet dinners I turn to when the day has been long, but I still want something warm with plenty of sauce. Once the chicken is sliced, the rest of the recipe moves quickly, and I can prepare the sauce without reaching for another pan. When I want a deeper garlic flavor, I make my creamy garlic chicken, while my chicken paillard is what I choose when a lighter lemon-butter sauce suits the evening. This creamy pesto chicken sits comfortably between the two: rich enough to feel comforting but still bright from the basil pesto and tomatoes.
What I enjoy most is the contrast between the golden surface of the chicken, its tender center, and the smooth pesto cream sauce surrounding it. Searing the cutlets first gives them color before the garlic, broth, cream, pesto, and Parmesan are combined in the same skillet. The tomatoes soften slightly without disappearing into the sauce, giving the finished dish a fresher contrast. It has the comforting texture of my creamy garlic Parmesan chicken, but the stronger basil flavor gives this recipe a character of its own.
Key Ingredients in Creamy Pesto Chicken
You will find the complete measurements in the recipe card, but these are the ingredients that shape the flavor and texture.
- Chicken Breasts and Seasoning: I slice the breasts horizontally to create thinner pieces that cook more evenly, then season them simply with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Garlic and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: The olive oil helps the chicken develop color, while fresh garlic adds a savory base before the creamy pesto sauce is added.
- Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream, and Pesto: I use more pesto than cream so the basil remains noticeable, while the broth keeps the sauce smooth and fluid.
- Parmesan and Grape Tomatoes: Freshly grated Parmesan gives the sauce a savory finish, and the tomatoes soften just enough to contrast with its richness.
How to Make Creamy Pesto Chicken
The complete printable recipe with quantities is in the recipe card below, but this is how the method comes together.
1. Prepare and Season the Chicken: Fillet the chicken breasts, season with salt and black pepper.
2. Sear until Golden: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden, then transfer to a plate.
3. Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce: Add the garlic to the skillet and sauté briefly, then stir in the chicken broth, cream, pesto, and parmesan to create the sauce.
4. Add the Tomatoes and Finish: Simmer the grape tomatoes briefly in the sauce, return the chicken and its juices to the skillet, and cook gently until completely cooked through.
Tips for Creamy Pesto Chicken
Give the Chicken Enough Room: I arrange the cutlets in a single layer so they make direct contact with the skillet and develop color instead of steaming.
Keep the Flavor in the Skillet: The savory residue left after searing the chicken becomes part of the sauce, so there is no need to clean the pan between stages.
Do Not Overcook the Tomatoes: I add the tomatoes near the end because I want them to soften slightly while still retaining their color and shape.
Spoon Over Plenty of Sauce: Before serving, coat each piece of chicken with the creamy pesto sauce so every portion gets pesto, Parmesan, and tomatoes.
Storage
I keep leftover creamy pesto chicken in an airtight container and reheat it gently so the chicken does not overcook, and the pesto cream sauce remains smooth.
What to Serve with Creamy Pesto Chicken
I like serving this creamy pesto chicken with rice cooked in chicken broth and butter or garlic sourdough toast to catch the extra sauce. Greek lemon roasted baby potatoes also work well when I want a brighter side beside the creamy basil sauce.
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Recipe
Creamy Pesto Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts - about 1 pound (450 g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 120 ml chicken broth
- 60 ml heavy cream
- 120 g basil pesto
- 25 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 250 g grape tomatoes - halved
Instructions
- Slice the 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts horizontally to make 4 thinner pieces. Season both sides evenly with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Add the 3 cloves garlic, minced, to the same skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in 120 ml chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat, then stir in 60 ml heavy cream, 120 g basil pesto, and 25 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the pesto cream sauce is smooth.
- Add 250 g grape tomatoes, halved, and simmer gently for 2 minutes.
- Return the chicken and any juices from the plate to the skillet. Coat the chicken with the creamy pesto sauce and cook gently until warmed through and the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C). Serve immediately with the sauce spooned over the chicken.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Maureen says
Absolutely delicious creamy pesto chicken. The sauce is rich and full of flavor, and I love that this pesto chicken dinner comes together in just one pan.