Crunchy Baked Pesto Chicken Recipes

PESTO CHICKEN

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.

CRUNCHY BAKED PESTO CHICKEN THIGHS

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).

BAKED PESTO CHICKEN

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

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.