Baked Pesto Chicken

This Baked Pesto Chicken with zucchini is a delicious and easy dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. With flavorful pesto sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and fresh veggies, this baked pesto chicken recipe is sure to become a family favorite. It’s a simple one-pan meal that’s both satisfying and healthy.

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If you’re looking for a healthy yet cheesy chicken recipe, look no further! Searing the chicken first adds a nice golden-brown crust before finishing it off in the oven with zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Top it all off with gooey melted mozzarella for a dish that’s easy and delicious. Serve this baked pesto chicken breast with Sauteed Green Beans, Baked Balsamic Asparagus, or just with simple sliced tomatoes for a complete meal your whole family will love.

recipe Summary

• Bursting with fresh flavors: The bright, herby pesto sauce paired with melty mozzarella cheese and juicy baked chicken is an irresistible flavor combination.
• Easy one-pan meal: With simple prep and easy cleanup, this pesto chicken bake is a convenient weeknight dinner option.
• Loaded with veggies: Zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers make this a nutritious, well-rounded meal in one dish.
• Versatile and customizable: Use store-bought or homemade pesto sauce. Add extras like sun-dried tomatoes or olives. Swap out veggies based on your preference.

Ingredients Needed

This pesto mozzarella baked chicken breast recipe with zucchini, uses simple ingredients that pack in tons of flavor. You’ll need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Use 4 medium-sized breasts. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
• Pesto sauce: You can use a pesto from the grocery store for convenience or my homemade basil pesto recipe for the freshest flavor.
• Vegetables: Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and bell pepper add nutrition and taste great roasted with the chicken.
• Olive oil: For sautéing the chicken and veggies. You may also use avocado oil.
• Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully over the pesto chicken.
• Seasonings: Just salt and pepper are needed to enhance the other flavors.

How To Make Baked Pesto Chicken

1. Season the chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts all over with kosher salt and black pepper.
2. Coat with pesto: Spread 2 tablespoons of the pesto sauce evenly over the top of each seasoned chicken breast.

3. Sear the chicken: Preheat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Sear the pesto-coated chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer seared chicken to a plate.
4. Prep the veggies: In the same skillet, toss the chopped zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, diced bell pepper, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

5. Bake the chicken and veggies: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them among the veggies. Transfer the skillet to a preheated 375°F oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Add pesto and cheese: Remove skillet from oven and spread the remaining 2 tablespoons of pesto over the chicken and veggies. Top evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

7. Bake again to melt cheese: Return skillet to oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly.
8. Rest and serve: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving your chicken pesto bake with mozzarella.

Expert Tips

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
• Don’t move the chicken too much when searing. Let it get a nice golden crust before flipping.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, just transfer it to a baking dish before moving it to the oven.
• Let the baked chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat.

FRequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this baked chicken breast with pesto with simple roasted or stovetop vegetables or any side dish with an Italian flair! Here are some of my faves:

Storage Recommendations

Leftovers of this cheesy pesto chicken bake make for great meal prep! Here’s how to store and reheat:

• Refrigerate: Once cooled, transfer the baked chicken breasts and roasted veggies to an airtight container. They’ll keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
• Freeze: This dish freezes very well. Let any leftovers cool completely, then transfer portions to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheat: For best results, let frozen portions thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, place chicken and veggies in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, but go slowly and stop to check every 30-60 seconds to prevent overcooking.

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