Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken Delight is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy basil pesto sauce. Perfectly paired with pasta, rice, or vegetables, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into thin fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken fillets with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream, pesto, and Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until thickened and creamy.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and coat with the sauce. Let simmer for another 2–3 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and garnish with fresh basil before serving.
- Serve warm over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- Homemade pesto gives a fresher flavor but store-bought works great too.
- Add cherry tomatoes or spinach for color and extra nutrients.
- This dish pairs beautifully with linguine, penne, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American