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Home » Creative Recipes » Main Dishes » Baked Pesto Chicken Recipe

Baked Pesto Chicken Recipe

BY: Michele
PUBLISHED: Apr 12, 2023
UPDATED: Apr 24, 2025
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My Baked Pesto Chicken recipe is an easy and delicious dinner recipe that will leave your taste buds singing with joy!

With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this pesto chicken bake is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. 

Overhead view of pesto chicken on top of spaghetti on a blue gray plate on a white background with a blue napkin to the left.

Tender chicken cutlets are coated with flavorful pesto and baked to perfection alongside juicy grape tomatoes, then topped with gooey melted mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze.

Serve it with your favorite pasta, Pesto Garlic Bread with Pesto Butter, or a crisp salad for a meal that’s sure to impress! It will likely become one of your new favorite Main Dish Recipes!

Table of Contents
  • Why You’ll Love This Pesto Chicken Recipe
  • What You’ll Need
  • Equipment
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Recipe Tips
  • Variations
  • What To Serve With Pesto Chicken
  • FAQs
  • More Pesto Recipe
  • More Chicken Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Reviews
Pesto chicken on a wooden spatula held above a baking dish with other pesto chicken with melted mozzarella cheese being pulled.

Why You’ll Love This Pesto Chicken Recipe

  • Quick and easy: This recipe is a breeze to make and takes just minutes to prep, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
  • Delicious flavor: The combination of juicy chicken, savory pesto, sweet tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese creates a symphony of flavors that come together to create a mouthwatering and unforgettable taste experience that will leave your taste buds begging for more. Your whole family will love it!
  • Healthy and wholesome: This dish is packed with lean protein and fresh, healthy ingredients like grape tomatoes and basil, making it a nutritious option that’s good for you.
  • Versatile: This recipe can be served with pasta, rice, or a salad, making it a versatile option that can be customized to suit your tastes.
  • Perfect for entertaining: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just having a few friends over for a casual meal, this dish is sure to impress your guests with its delicious flavor and beautiful presentation.
Overhead view of Baked Pesto Chicken being held on a wooden spoon above the rest of the pesto chicken in a white baking dish on a white marble background.

What You’ll Need

Equipment

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  • Cutting Board
  • Chefs Knife
  • Baking Dish or Baking Sheet
  • Tongs
  • Spatula
  • Aluminum Foil

Ingredients

Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

Overhead view of the ingredients for Baked Pesto Chicken on a white background.
  • Prepared Pesto – I highly recommend my Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce for this recipe. Alternatively, you could use your favorite store-bought pesto.
  • Boneless, skinless chicken cutlets – Chicken cutlets are thin slices of chicken breast that cook quickly and evenly. If you can’t find chicken cutlets, be sure to cut thicker chicken breasts in half through the middle to make your own chicken cutlets.
  • Cooking Spray – I prefer to use olive oil in a spray bottle than commercial cooking spray. Alternatively, you can brush the baking dish with olive oil.
  • Grape Tomatoes – Grape tomatoes are small, sweet tomatoes. Use these whole for easy preparation. They add a burst of juicy sweetness to this dish and are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants. If you don’t have grape or cherry tomatoes, you could use tomato slices instead. Just be sure to use fresh tomatoes.
  • Olive Oil – Olive oil is a healthy source of monounsaturated fats and adds a rich, fruity flavor to this dish.
  • Kosher Salt – Kosher salt is a coarse-grained salt that’s used for cooking and seasoning. It adds flavor to the dish and helps to enhance the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper enhances the flavor of this dish.
  • Shredded Mozzarella – Shredded mozzarella cheese is a mild, creamy cheese that melts beautifully and adds a gooey texture to this dish. If you like, you could also add some shredded or grated parmesan cheese.
  • Fresh Basil – Fresh basil is a fragrant herb that’s used in many Italian dishes. It adds a fresh, herby taste and a pop of green color as a garnish to this dish.
  • Balsamic Glaze – Balsamic glaze is a sweet and tangy sauce made from balsamic vinegar that’s been reduced and thickened. It adds a deliciously acidic flavor and a beautiful garnish to this dish. Balsamic glaze is easy to make at home but can also be found pre-made with other vinegars in the grocery store.

Instructions

9-photo collage showing the steps of how to make Baked Pesto Chicken
  1. Prep – Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a casserole dish with oil. Gather your ingredients. (Picture 1)
  2. Assemble – Add tomatoes to the casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt. Top with chicken, and brush the chicken with pesto on both sides. (Pictures 2 – 6.)
  3. Bake – Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake until chicken is cooked through. (Picture 7)
  4. Cheese – Remove foil and add shredded mozzarella on top of the chicken breasts. Put the dish back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted. (Pictures 8-9)
  5. Garnish – Top with basil and drizzle with balsamic glaze
  6. Serve – Serve with pasta or a salad and enjoy!
Overhead view of baking dish with cheese covered pesto chicken in the upper left corner, with a plate of a serving of pesto chicken with spaghetti and cherry tomatoes on a blue gray plate on a white background. 2 pieces of toast are on the bottom left.

Recipe Tips

  • Use a meat thermometer: To ensure that the chicken is cooked to perfection, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. The chicken should be cooked to 150°F for safe consumption.
  • Halve the chicken: If your chicken breasts are thicker than 1/2 inch, consider slicing them in half lengthwise through the middle to an even thickness before cooking. This will help the chicken to cook more evenly and prevent it from drying out. Alternately, pound them to an even thickness before cooking.
  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients like homemade pesto, basil, and grape tomatoes will maximize the flavor of this dish much more than using canned or pre-packaged alternatives.
  • Customize the recipe: Feel free to adjust the amount of pesto, cheese, and other ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own twist to the recipe.

Variations

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and methods to create a unique variation of this tasty recipe. Here are a few ideas to change things up a bit:

  • Pesto-stuffed Chicken: Cut a pocket in the center of each chicken cutlet and stuff it with pesto and mozzarella cheese for a gooey, delicious center.
  • Pesto Pasta Bake: Mix the pesto and chicken with cooked pasta and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Pesto Chicken Skewers: Cut the chicken into cubes and thread them onto skewers along with cherry tomatoes and bell peppers. Brush with pesto and grill until cooked through.
  • Pesto Chicken Salad: Make a great lunch with leftovers by shredding the cooked chicken and mixing it with a simple salad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and a pesto vinaigrette dressing.
  • Pesto and Goat Cheese Chicken: Instead of using mozzarella cheese, sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the cooked chicken for a tangy and creamy variation.

What To Serve With Pesto Chicken

  • Chopped Vegetable Salad – Made with crisp greens, and fresh vegetables, it will round out your dinner nicely.
  • Italian Breadsticks – Serve these soft, fluffy Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks.
  • Tomato Soup – A nice refreshing and creamy tomato soup made in the Instant Pot.
  • Air Fryer Carrots – An easy way to cook fresh carrot sticks.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

I recommend using fresh chicken for this recipe, but you can use frozen chicken as well. Just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can use a different type of cheese in this recipe, such as parmesan or feta. Keep in mind that the nutritional values may differ depending on the type of cheese you use

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

I don’t recommend assembling this recipe ahead of time as it could grow harmful bacteria.

Can I use homemade pesto?

Yes, I highly recommend you use homemade pesto in this recipe for maximum flavor.

How Do I Store Leftover Pesto Chicken?

Place the chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 – 5 days.

Can I Freeze Pesto Chicken?

Yes, place the chicken in a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

A close up of a bite of pesto chicken with a cherry tomato and small piece of basil on a fork held above the rest of the plate of pesto chicken in the background.

More Pesto Recipe

  • Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Bacon
  • Pesto Baked Turkey Meatballs
  • Toasted Spinach Pesto Ravioli

More Chicken Recipes

  • Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
  • Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich
  • Chicken Parmesan

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Recipe

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Baked Pesto Chicken Recipe

Baked Pesto Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dinner that combines juicy chicken with flavorful basil pesto and gooey cheese. With just a few simple ingredients, it's the perfect meal to impress your taste buds and satisfy your hunger!
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword Cheesy Pesto Chicken Pasta
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 40 minutes minutes
Servings 4
Calories 522kcal
Author Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

Equipment

  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chefs Knife
  • 1 Ovenproof Baking Dish

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup prepared pesto
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken cutlets
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 pints grape tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • Fresh basil for garnish
  • Balsamic glaze
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
  • Spray 11”x7″ casserole dish with cooking spray
  • Coat chicken with pesto on both sides
  • Add tomatoes, olive oil, and a pinch of salt to the casserole dish and mix to combine
  • Place pesto coated chicken in single layer on top of tomatoes
  • Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil, or a lid
  • Bake 25-30 minutes (cook time will vary depending on thickness of chicken)
  • Remove the casserole from the oven and remove foil. Check chicken for doneness. Chicken should be 150 degrees F in the thickest part when tested with an instant read thermometer. If chicken isn’t ready, cover the dish with foil and place back in the oven until cooked through.
  • When chicken is cooked through, remove foil and top chicken with shredded mozzarella. Put the dish back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted – about 5 minutes.
  • Garnish with basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze
  • Serve with pasta noodles or a salad and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer: To ensure that the chicken is cooked to perfection, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. The chicken should be cooked to 150°F for safe consumption.
  • Halve the chicken: If your chicken breasts are thicker than 1/2 inch, consider slicing them in half lengthwise through the middle to an even thickness before cooking. This will help the chicken to cook more evenly and prevent it from drying out. Alternately, pound them to an even thickness before cooking.
  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients like homemade pesto, basil, and grape tomatoes will maximize the flavor of this dish much more than using canned or pre-packaged alternatives.
  • Customize the recipe: Feel free to adjust the amount of pesto, cheese, and other ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own twist to the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 784mg | Potassium: 1023mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3008IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 362mg | Iron: 2mg

Filed Under: Basil Pesto Recipes, Chicken, Dinner Recipes, Italian, Main Dishes, Pesto Recipes

DISCLOSURE: Flavor Mosaic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Please note: This blog may contain affiliate links to products I use and love. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, to help with blog expenses when you make a purchase through an affiliate link. Thank you for your support!

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Michele F - Owner / Founder / Creator / Blogger at Flavor Mosaic
Michele

Hi, I’m Michele Feuerborn, wife, and dog Mom, with 20+ years experience as a home cook. I’m the Founder of Flavor Mosaic, as well as the author and content creator. I share fast, easy, flavorful recipes with bold flavors, featuring Instant Pot and Air Fryer recipes and Italian, Southern and Mexican cuisines.  Contact: [email protected].

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Michele F - Owner / Founder / Creator / Blogger at Flavor Mosaic

Hi, I’m Michele, a home cook with 20+ years experience. I created Flavor Mosaic as a place to share our favorite fast, easy, and flavorful creative recipes with bold flavors, including Southern, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Instant Pot recipes.
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