Ingredients
- 3–4 chicken breasts (or boneless thighs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (butter or coconut oil as alternate options)
- Salt and pepper, generously applied
- 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half as a lighter substitute)
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced (or garlic powder)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan (or any hard cheese like pecorino)
- A handful of halved cherry tomatoes (optional)
Instructions
- Place each chicken breast between two sheets of parchment and pound slightly to an even thickness.
- Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper; heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add the chicken to the pan and sear for 4–5 minutes per side without moving, until golden.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Add minced garlic to the same pan and cook about 30 seconds, then add halved cherry tomatoes and blister slightly (optional).
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stir in the pesto and grated Parmesan, and cook, stirring, until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Return the chicken to the pan and simmer gently about 5 minutes, turning once so the sauce coats the chicken; thin with a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick.
- Serve the chicken with sauce directly from the pan or transfer to a plate and garnish with extra Parmesan or torn basil (optional).
Notes
Cook the sauce low and slow to avoid separating., If pesto is very oily, reduce the initial olive oil used for searing., If no foil is available to cover chicken, use another pan or leave it uncovered., Use a large nonstick skillet or sauté pan for best results; cast iron works as well., Tongs are ideal for flipping chicken, but other utensils like forks or chopsticks work., Leftovers store well in a sealed container for 2-3 days in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of milk to avoid rubbery texture., Variations include adding sliced mushrooms with garlic, substituting sun-dried tomatoes for cherry tomatoes (rinsed first), or adding lemon zest at the end to brighten flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: Approximately 450 kcal per serving
- Fat: Approximately 30 grams per serving
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 5 grams per serving
- Protein: About 35 grams per serving