Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Pesto Baked Chicken with fresh cherry tomatoes, shallots, and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for a delicious and wholesome dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pesto Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Tomatoes
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup finely sliced shallots
- 1/3 cup pesto
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine pesto, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper inside a freezer bag. Add chicken breasts, press out air, seal the bag, and massage marinade into the chicken. Let marinate for 30-60 minutes.
- Prepare the Oven and Tomato Mixture: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Halve some cherry tomatoes and leave some whole. In a bowl, mix tomatoes with shallots, pesto, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and garlic.
- Arrange and Bake: Place chicken breasts in the center of a 12-inch oven-safe skillet. Scatter the tomato mixture around the chicken. Bake for 18-24 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: In the last 2-3 minutes of baking, sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top of the chicken and tomatoes. Bake until cheese is melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove skillet from oven, garnish with chopped fresh basil, and serve warm.
Notes
- If you don't have a 12-inch oven-safe skillet, use a baking dish and adjust cooking time slightly.
- Marinating for the full 60 minutes enhances flavor but 30 minutes will also work.
- For a dairy-free option, omit mozzarella or use a plant-based cheese.
- Use fresh basil instead of dried for best flavor.
- Make sure chicken reaches 165°F internally for food safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
