Description
This Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a rich and flavorful pesto cream sauce, paired with sweet, blistered roasted grape tomatoes. Perfect for a quick yet elegant meal, it comes together in just 30 minutes and serves four.
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
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Pesto Cream 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
- Preheat the Oven and Roast Tomatoes: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Toss the grape tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the tomatoes for 20 minutes or until they are blistered and tender.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: While the tomatoes roast, season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
- Prepare the Pesto Sauce: In the same skillet, caramelize the chopped onion until softened and lightly golden. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Stir in the basil pesto, heavy whipping cream, and grated parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently to combine the flavors and thicken slightly. Add red chili pepper flakes if using, to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken and roasted tomatoes to the skillet with the pesto cream sauce. Reheat everything briefly to meld the flavors. Serve the creamy pesto chicken hot, spooning extra sauce and tomatoes over the top for a delicious finish.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- Use fresh basil pesto for the best flavor, or make your own at home.
- Adjust red chili flakes according to your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- To make this dish lower fat, substitute heavy whipping cream with half-and-half or a light cream alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
