Description
This Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes recipe is a delightful blend of tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a creamy basil pesto sauce, enhanced with roasted grape tomatoes and a touch of Parmesan cheese. It’s a quick and easy dish perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner that combines roasting and stovetop cooking to deliver a rich, comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 medium chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
Roasted Tomatoes
- 10 oz grape tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Roast Tomatoes: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Toss the grape tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet, spreading them out evenly. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and slightly caramelized, bringing out their sweet flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes per side, or until nicely browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until caramelized and softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Then stir in the basil pesto, heavy whipping cream, Parmesan cheese, and red chili pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer gently to meld the flavors and thicken slightly.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and add the roasted tomatoes. Stir gently to coat everything in the creamy pesto sauce and reheat briefly until warmed through. Serve immediately, ensuring the chicken is tender and the sauce is luscious with the burst of roasted tomato flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute grape tomatoes with cherry tomatoes if preferred.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Add fresh basil leaves as garnish for an extra burst of herbal freshness.
- Adjust red chili flakes according to your taste preference or omit for a milder dish.
- Use skinless, boneless chicken breasts for even cooking and ease of preparation.
