Best 9 Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken Recipes

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Crispy baked pesto chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is made with chicken breasts that are coated in a flavorful pesto sauce and then baked until crispy. The result is a juicy and tender chicken that is packed with flavor. This scrumptious dish can be served with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a side salad.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

PESTO CHICKEN



Pesto Chicken image

Pesto Chicken made with fresh basil, spinach, garlic, walnuts and Parmesan cheese to make each bite irresistible!

Provided by Jessica Gavin

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (4 pieces, pounded to 3/4-inch thickness)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil ((120ml), plus more for drizzling)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for seasoning)
black pepper (as needed for seasoning)
1 cup basil ((30g, 1 ounce) packed)
1 cup baby spinach ((30g, 1 ounce) packed)
3 cloves garlic (unpeeled)
1/4 cup walnuts (plus more for garnish)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
1 cup diced tomatoes (1/4-inch dice)

Steps:

  • Place oven rack to the center position. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • Drizzle both sides of the chicken breast with olive oil. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Place chicken in an ovenproof baking dish or skillet.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the internal temperature of the chicken is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, about 15 to 18 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the pesto. Place the basil and spinach in a resealable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to lightly bruise the herbs and greens. Transfer to a food processor or blender.
  • Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Toast garlic until the outsides are lightly browned, shaking pan occasionally, about 8 minutes. Peel garlic and add to food processor.
  • Place walnuts in the same pan and toast over medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to food processor.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to the food processor.
  • Process pesto by pulsing five times to help break down the greens.
  • Turn food processor on low speed, as it's running slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil until a smooth pesto with some smaller pieces is formed, about 10 seconds from start to finish.
  • Add the parmesan cheese to the pesto and process on low speed for 5 seconds.
  • Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Transfer pesto to a small bowl.
  • Brush some pesto sauce on each cooked chicken breast. Transfer to a serving platter.
  • Top chicken with chopped walnuts, tomatoes, and cheese. Serve extra pesto sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 436 kcal, Carbohydrate 3 g, Protein 43 g, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Sodium 486 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

BAKED PESTO CHICKEN



Baked Pesto Chicken image

Make and share this Baked Pesto Chicken recipe from Food.com.

Provided by TishT

Categories     Chicken

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup refrigerated basil pesto
2 -3 plum tomatoes, sliced (optional)
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Line baking sheet with heavy-duty foil.
  • Place chicken and pesto in medium bowl; toss to coat.
  • Place chicken on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
  • Remove from oven; top with tomatoes and cheese.
  • Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CRISPY BAKED PESTO CHICKEN



Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken image

Top a crunchy coating with pesto and mozzarella to get a simply delicious pesto chicken dish. Or, as we like to call it, Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Chicken

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb.)
1 pkt. SHAKE 'N BAKE Chicken Coating Mix
2 Tbsp. CLASSICO Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce and Spread
1/4 cup KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400ºF.
  • Coat chicken with coating mix; place in 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Bake 20 min. or until done (165ºF).
  • Top with pesto and cheese; bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 260, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Sodium 630 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 28 g

CRUNCHY BAKED PESTO CHICKEN THIGHS



Crunchy Baked Pesto Chicken Thighs image

Easy and flavorful baked chicken thighs amped up with pesto!

Provided by RainbowJewels

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Thigh Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

½ cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons prepared pesto

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Combine panko, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  • Place chicken thighs onto the prepared baking sheet and coat each side with pesto. Press panko mixture onto chicken.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 338.5 calories, Carbohydrate 10.6 g, Cholesterol 83.2 mg, Fat 22.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 26.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 517.4 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

PESTO PARMESAN CHICKEN



Pesto Parmesan Chicken image

Need a yummy idea for chicken breasts? Try this 4-ingredient idea using crispy panko bread crumbs.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb)
3 tablespoons basil pesto
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan or Asiago cheese
Fresh basil leaves, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. Between pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, place each chicken breast smooth side down; gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/2-inch thick.
  • In shallow dish, mix together pesto and mayonnaise. In another shallow dish. mix together bread crumbs and cheese. Dip chicken into pesto mixture then dip in panko mixture. Place on baking sheet.
  • Bake 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (165°F) and coating is golden brown. Garnish with basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390, Carbohydrate 11 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 39 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving, Sodium 430 mg, Sugar 0 g, TransFat 0 g

SUPER CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN



Super Crispy Baked Chicken image

Combine mashed potato flakes with Parmesan cheese for an ultra-crunchy coating to oven-baked chicken that is oh-so-tender and perfectly moist.-June Brown, Veneta, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups mashed potato flakes
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 to 3 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1/2 to 1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3-1/2 to 4-1/2 pounds), cut up

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. In a shallow dish, combine potato flakes, Parmesan cheese, poultry seasoning and pepper. Place butter in another shallow dish. Dip chicken in butter, then coat with potato flake mixture. , Place on a lightly greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, 50-65 minutes or until juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 766 calories, Fat 48g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 216mg cholesterol, Sodium 400mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 53g protein.

BAKED PESTO CHICKEN TENDERS



Baked Pesto Chicken Tenders image

Using only four ingredients and a few minutes of your time, these homemade chicken tenders are perfect for those busy weeknights. Basil, along with other ingredients in pesto, has many health benefits, and these are baked instead of fried, making them an overall healthier choice.

Provided by Soup Loving Nicole

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Baked and Roasted     Breasts

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 tablespoons pesto
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 pound chicken breast tenderloins
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Whisk pesto and mayonnaise together in a bowl. Dredge both sides of each chicken tender in the pesto mixture and coat with bread crumbs. Arrange tenders on a baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn chicken pieces and continue baking until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 15 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 293.5 calories, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 74.2 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 30.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 300.9 mg

CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN



Crispy Baked Chicken image

My siblings and I couldn't wait to sit down to supper when Mom was making this delicious chicken. The cornmeal in the coating gives each juicy golden piece a wonderful crunch. -Karen Wingate, Coldwater, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 3-1/2 pounds), cut up
1/3 cup butter, melted

Steps:

  • In a shallow bowl combine the first six ingredients. Pour milk in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in milk, then roll in the cornmeal mixture. , Place chicken in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Drizzle with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 50-55 minutes or until juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 430 calories, Fat 25g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 118mg cholesterol, Sodium 785mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

CRISPY BREADED PESTO MOZZARELLA CHICKEN



Crispy Breaded Pesto Mozzarella Chicken image

Make and share this Crispy Breaded Pesto Mozzarella Chicken recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Alexandra Inez

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 40m

Yield 2 breasts, 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 chicken breasts
1 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup pesto sauce

Steps:

  • Pound out chicken breasts with meat mallet or rolling pin.
  • Take unseasoned breadcrumbs and add salt, pepper, garlic salt, parmesan cheese, thyme, and any other herbs you desire to the crumbs. (You may decide amounts to your taste, I use about a teaspoon of the spices and a tablespoon or 2 of the parmesan depending on how many breadcrumbs you use).
  • Combine homemade or store bought pesto (I prefer my homeade pesto) with shredded mozzarella cheese in a cup making sure to coat all of the cheese evenly with the pesto.
  • Spread a generous amount of the cheese mixture on the pounded out chicken breast.
  • Roll the chicken breast up and secure with toothpicks.
  • Dip the chicken breast in milk and then into the seasoned bread crumbs.
  • Place chicken onto a greased pan and place into a 400°F oven for approximately 20 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear.

Tips:

  • Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken in the pesto sauce for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, will help to infuse it with flavor and keep it moist during baking.
  • Use a good quality pesto: The flavor of the pesto will shine through in the final dish, so be sure to use a high-quality pesto that you enjoy the taste of.
  • Don't overcrowd the baking sheet: Make sure to leave enough space between the chicken pieces on the baking sheet so that they can cook evenly.
  • Bake until the chicken is cooked through: The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit before you remove it from the oven.
  • Serve immediately: Baked pesto chicken is best served immediately, while it is still hot and crispy.

Conclusion:

Crispy baked pesto chicken is a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe that is sure to please the whole family. It is a great way to use up leftover pesto, and it can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad. Next time you are looking for a delicious and easy chicken recipe, give crispy baked pesto chicken a try. You won't be disappointed!

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