Easy Baked Pesto Chicken (4 Ingredients!)
This Easy Baked Pesto Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner, bursting with garlicky, nutty flavors and topped with melty mozzarella. With just four ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish is perfect for busy evenings when you crave something delicious yet effortless. Juicy chicken breasts are slathered in homemade or store-bought basil pesto and baked to perfection, making this meal not only simple but incredibly satisfying.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4 people 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (4-5 ounce) chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (6.5 ounces) basil pesto
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the chicken dry and trim excess fat if needed. If large, pound or slice the chicken for even cooking.
- Spread 1/4 cup of pesto on the bottom of a square baking dish. Place chicken breasts in the dish, then cover with remaining pesto. Top each breast with a slice of mozzarella if using.
- Bake for 22-26 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For a bubbly cheese finish, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approximately 4 ounces)
- Calories: 206
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 374mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 74mg