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Food Writer & Photographer

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  • March 16, 2020

    Three-Ingredient Baked Pesto Chicken

    5 Ingredient Recipes, Dinner

    Things are pretty scary right now, I get it. I know the news can be tiring and Twitter is relentless (hot tip, just stay off Twitter right now), and I want to virtually comfort you with some chicken. I know, emotions shouldn’t be attached to food, I’m aware of that. But a good meal can be comforting in a way that words can’t, and this three-ingredient baked pesto chicken will soothe your soul.

    pesto chicken with green beans on a blue plate
    pesto chicken with green beans

    The best part about this recipe is how incredibly easy it is. It says three ingredients because, well, it really only has three simple ingredients! All you need is a chicken breast, a jar of pesto, and a bag of shredded mozzarella. Then voila! You have dinner.

    How to cook pesto chicken perfectly

    Cooking chicken can be quite the challenge, I get it. That’s why I like to have the right tools with me to make sure that my meat is perfectly cooked every time, and I never have to worry about food poisoning or sickness.


    For checking the internal temperature of your chicken—it should always be 165 degrees—I like to use the following thermometer. It helps me to ensure that my pesto chicken is perfectly cooked every single time I make it.


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    Make vegetables on the side

    For an easy side to go with your chicken, try one of these recipes.

    • Roast Brussels sprouts on the side of your chicken breast right in the same sheet pan!
    • Or you can make some carrot fries, paired with a yummy dipping sauce of your choice.
    • Saute some zoodles and use it as a bed for the chicken—easy pesto chicken pasta right there!
    • Or if you need some carbs, this roasted sweet potato recipe is my fave.

    Looking for more chicken recipes?

    Here are a few of my favorite ways to cook this lean protein for dinner—or lunch!

    • Creamy Tuscan Chicken
    • Chicken Thigh Sheet Pan Dinner
    • Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
    • Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese (#drool)
    • Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

    So if you grab a pack of chicken, or a frozen bag, you can try one of these other recipes as well. Yay!

    three ingredient pesto chicken on a blue plate
    pesto chicken with green beans on a blue plate

    Print Recipe

    Pesto Chicken

    This easy three-ingredient chicken breast recipe is great for busy weeknights when you need a simple, low-carb dinner.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: baked chicken, baked chicken recipe, chicken, chicken dinner, pesto chicken
    Servings: 1 serving

    Ingredients

    • 1 chicken breast
    • 2 Tbsp pesto
    • 1/4 cup low-moisture shredded mozzarella

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
    • Place the chicken breast on a greased baking sheet (use cooking spray or olive oil).
    • Spread the pesto on top of the chicken breast with a spoon.
    • Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken breast, making sure most of it is on the chicken.
    • Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.

    Notes

    Need an easy side to go with the chicken? Roast some vegetables on another baking sheet! Here’s how to roast Brussels sprouts or carrot fries, but you can use the same method with whatever vegetables you would like. Like green beans!
    meal prep guide button

    Pin this for later!

    baked pesto chicken with green beans

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    baked chicken, chicken, chicken breast, chicken dinner, chicken meals, chicken recipe, pesto chicken

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    Hi, I’m Kiersten!

    I’m a food writer & photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. This blog is a place where I share a bit of my life behind the scenes. And all the things I love to cook. More on me >>

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