Silky Basil Pesto Chicken & Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Weeknight dinners transform when you add a homemade creamy pesto chicken with roasted tomatoes to your menu.

Bursting with vibrant Mediterranean flavors, this dish brings restaurant-quality elegance to your table.

Tender chicken breasts nestle beneath a rich, herbaceous sauce that sings with basil and garlic.

Juicy roasted tomatoes add a bright, tangy counterpoint to the creamy pesto coating.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of textures and robust flavors that dance across your palate.

The recipe comes together easily, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking a delicious meal.

Dive into this mouthwatering creation and experience a culinary journey that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 560 kcal

Servings: 3

Everything Needed For Creamy Pesto Chicken With Roasted Tomatoes

• Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with sweet, concentrated flavor when roasted, providing a juicy contrast to the creamy sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps tomatoes caramelize and develop rich, deep flavors while preventing sticking.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs the pesto sauce beautifully, serving as the main star of the dish.
• Garlic Powder: Adds warm, aromatic depth without raw garlic intensity.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that infuses the chicken with classic Mediterranean flavor profiles.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing overall taste.

• Butter: Creates rich, velvety base for the sauce and adds luxurious mouthfeel.
• Minced Garlic: Provides sharp, pungent undertone that complements the pesto.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers silky, luxurious texture to the sauce.
• Pesto: Brings vibrant herbal notes with basil and nutty undertones.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, umami complexity and helps thicken the sauce.

Gear You’ll Want For Creamy Pesto Chicken With Roasted Tomatoes

• Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting cherry tomatoes evenly and creating caramelized edges.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for cooking chicken and creating the creamy pesto sauce in one pan.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately season chicken and measure ingredients for the sauce.
• Chef's Knife: Needed to mince garlic and chop fresh basil for garnish.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring sauce and moving ingredients around the skillet.
• Meat Thermometer (optional): Ensures chicken is cooked perfectly to 165F.

Directions To Cook Creamy Pesto Chicken With Roasted Tomatoes

• Tomato Transformation

Spread cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Slide into a hot oven and let them roast until they become soft and slightly caramelized, about 15-20 minutes.

• Chicken Magic

Season chicken breasts with aromatic spices. Sizzle them in a skillet over medium heat until they turn golden and reach perfect doneness, creating a beautiful exterior with tender interior.

• Pesto Cream Elegance

In the same skillet, melt butter and dance minced garlic around the pan. Pour in heavy cream and let it bubble gently. Swirl in pesto and Parmesan, creating a luxurious sauce that coats the pan with creamy deliciousness.

• Flavor Fusion

Nestle the cooked chicken into the creamy sauce, allowing it to bathe and absorb all the rich flavors. Scatter the roasted tomatoes on top for a burst of freshness.

• Serving Brilliance

Present your masterpiece over pasta, rice, or a bed of vegetables. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan and fresh basil for a final touch of culinary artistry.

How To Switch Up Creamy Pesto Chicken With Roasted Tomatoes

• Flavor-Boosting Chicken Pesto Secrets
• Marinate Magic: Let chicken sit in Italian seasoning and garlic powder for 30 minutes before cooking to intensify flavors and ensure deeper taste penetration.
• Herb Enhancement: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley just before serving to add brightness and fresh aromatic notes to the creamy dish.
• Texture Tricks: Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to guarantee a perfect golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture and creates delicious crispy edges.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version that maintains the recipe's rich, creamy essence.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to create a vegan-friendly sauce that's equally luxurious and flavorful.

Tips For Serving Creamy Pesto Chicken With Roasted Tomatoes

• Pasta Perfect Pairing: Twirl your favorite pasta like fettuccine or linguine and nestle the juicy chicken right on top, letting the creamy pesto sauce drench every strand for a mouthwatering meal.
• Veggie Companion Delight: Serve alongside roasted zucchini, sautéed spinach, or steamed broccoli to add extra nutritional punch and color contrast to the rich, creamy chicken dish.
• Mediterranean Plate Style: Transform this dish into a rustic Mediterranean-inspired platter by adding some crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or oregano for an authentic Mediterranean flair.
• Clean Plate Club Option: For a low-carb version, skip traditional pasta and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, maintaining all the delicious flavors while keeping the meal lighter and more diet-friendly.

Storage Guide For Creamy Pesto Chicken With Roasted Tomatoes

• Smart Refrigeration: Store the chicken dish in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Separate the roasted tomatoes and sauce from chicken to maintain optimal texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Stays delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best quality.
• Reheating Magic: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent sauce separation. Add a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore moisture. Microwave works in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle.
• Ingredient Longevity: Keep fresh basil wrapped in slightly damp paper towel inside a sealed container. Store Parmesan cheese in the refrigerator's vegetable drawer. Check garlic and cream for freshness before using in future recipes.

Rich Pesto Chicken With Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Creamy pesto chicken with roasted tomatoes brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables. Parmesan-infused sauce and juicy roasted tomatoes offer rich flavors that will satisfy fresh herb lovers eagerly craving a delightful meal.

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Ingredients

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• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
• 1 pint (500 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Tomato Preparation: Arrange cherry tomatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, ensuring even distribution across a single layer.
2. Roasting Process: Transfer sheet to a preheated 400F (200C) oven, roast tomatoes until softened and caramelized, approximately 15-20 minutes. Set aside for later use.
3. Chicken Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Searing Technique: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook seasoned chicken breasts until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165F, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
5. Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, then whisk in pesto and Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
6. Flavor Infusion: Return chicken to the skillet, coating each piece thoroughly with the pesto sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow flavor absorption.
7. Final Assembly: Artfully place roasted tomatoes atop the chicken, creating a vibrant presentation. Serve with pasta, rice, or vegetables, and optionally garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.

Notes

• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select ripe cherry tomatoes with vibrant color and firm texture for maximum roasting flavor and sweetness.
• Control Chicken Moisture: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown searing and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Watch Sauce Consistency: Monitor cream sauce carefully, stirring continuously to prevent burning and achieve smooth, silky texture without curdling.
• Temperature Management: Use instant-read thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exact 165F internal temperature for safe, juicy results without overcooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg