Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli
Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli
Looking for a quick and comforting meal that will please the whole family? Say hello to Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli! This dish is all about bringing major flavor to your weeknights or cozy weekends. Imagine tender chicken breast smothered in a creamy pesto sauce paired with nutritious broccoli. This pesto chicken recipe is a match made in culinary heaven! Whip up this easy weeknight dinner to enjoy a satisfying and delicious meal that will warm your heart and fill your belly. Completely Gluten-free + Dairy-free option.
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Creamy Pesto Chicken with Broccoli. A game-changing easy weeknight recipe that deserves a spot on your weekly rotation. Not only is this rich and creamy meal perfect for feeding the family on busy nights, but it's also perfect for meal prepping lunches throughout the week. But that's not it y'all.
It's also an easy date night dish! Another one of my and my hubby's favorite chicken date night meals is this Weeknight Creamy Chicken Alfredo and this Hubby's Date Night Vodka Ravioli, Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts or Healthy Weeknight General Tso's Chicken. If you love seafood then this Date Night Healthy Shrimp Lo Mein is also amazing! What can I say? Our love languages are FOOD!
Jump to:
- Why Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast?
- How to Make Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast
- WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN
- Can I Use Store-bought Pesto for This Recipe?
- Easy Pesto Sauce
- Nut-Free Pesto
- How to Serve
- Can I Substitute the Chicken in this Recipe?
- Can I Make This Pesto Chicken Dairy-free?
- Is Basil Pesto Good For Me?
- Common Q + A's for this Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast
- More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try!
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli
Why Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast?
I love how versatile this pesto chicken recipe can be. Serve it over potatoes, pasta, rice, or any of your favorite sides. I'm loving the addition of this Cheesy Kale Garlic Bread at the moment. My hubby and kid love adding it to this Weeknight Broccoli Pesto Gnocchi + Chickpeas! So many options to suit everyone.
Overall, this Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli is definitely comfort food in a bowl, includes simple steps, and can totally be enjoyed as a weeknight meal or weekend vibe for the entire family OR made for a special someone!
How to Make Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast
SEASON THE CHICKEN
- In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken along with the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and parsley, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. NOTE: It's always best to marinate your chicken overnight in the fridge.
SEAR THE CHICKEN
- In a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and once heated, add the minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the seasoned chicken and cook on each side until seared, about 3-4 minutes each side. Once brown on each side, remove from skillet and set unto a plate to "rest" while you make the sauce.
TO MAKE THE CREAMY PESTO SAUCE
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil until heated.
- Add in the pesto sauce and stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add in the heavy cream, chicken stock, and white wine, stirring until combined. Let it slightly bubble for 1-2 minutes and then add in the grated parmesan, whisking until fully melted and the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the broccoli or broccolini, stirring until combined, and return the chicken breasts. Let everything simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. NOTE: If using chopped potatoes, then be sure to add them in during this time as well.
- Stir the sauce occasionally and spoon it unto the chicken breasts as they continue to cook.
- Remove from heat once done.
- Taaaadaaa! Enjoy with your favorite sides.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN
Comforting and satisfying: It's a hearty and satisfying dish that will warm your soul and keep you coming back for more.
Family-Friendly: The creamy sauce and tender chicken make it a hit with picky eaters.
Quick and easy: Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Easy weeknight dinner sorted!
Ideal For Meal Prepping: This pesto chicken recipe is a convenient + delicious option for lunches or dinners on busy days.
Flavor explosion: Brace yourself for a party in your mouth!
Can I Use Store-bought Pesto for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought pesto works perfectly fine and saves you time. My favorite is this Basil Pesto but feel free to use your personal favorite or a Dairy-free pesto if you're sensitive to dairy. If you have homemade pesto on hand, it will add an extra layer of freshness and flavor to your pesto chicken recipe!
Easy Pesto Sauce
Here's what you need to make this one-step pesto:
- Spinach. You can also use kale if you like. This adds an extra boost of bright green color to the sauce.
- Basil. You can't have pesto without it!
- Walnuts. You can also use pine nuts if you like.
- Olive oil. Choose a good-quality oil with a robust flavor.
- Lemon juice. this helps keep the pesto bright.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic will give you the best flavor.
- Parmesan. Use Nutritional Yeast for a dairy-free version.
Nut-Free Pesto
Traditionally, pesto contains nuts. However, you can substitute the walnuts in this recipe with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DISH!
Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Pesto Chicken. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How to Serve
Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast is a versatile and delicious dish that can be served in various ways to suit your preferences. You can add to a fresh salad, pasta, gnocchi, on tacos, atop homemade pizza, or make a grain bowl.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating this delightful pesto chicken. Here are a few more scrumptious ideas to inspire you:
- Inside Sandwiches + Wraps + Burgers
- With Noodles
- With Fries or wedges, I LOVE enjoying it with these Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries
- Atop Mashed Potatoes
- Atop Rice, Faro or try with Vegan Quinoa Fried Rice
Can I Substitute the Chicken in this Recipe?
You can absolutely substitute the chicken in this recipe for other pieces of the chicken or with another plant-based meat alternative altogether such as:
- Cauliflower
- Plant-based Chicken
- Mushrooms
- Tofu
- Tempeh
Can I Make This Pesto Chicken Dairy-free?
Yes definitely! To make this creamy pesto sauce dairy-free, simply swap the cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. Be sure to buy a dairy-free pesto, or make your own. And use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese, parmesan, or nutritional yeast instead of regular parmesan, and voila --Easy weeknight dinner sorted!
Is Basil Pesto Good For Me?
Absolutely! Basil is the main ingredient in pesto and is not only delicious but also offers several health benefits. Here are 3 reasons why basil is good for you:
Nutrient-rich: Basil is packed with essential nutrients like vitamins A, K, and C, as well as minerals like manganese, copper, calcium, and iron. These nutrients support overall health and well-being.
Antioxidant powerhouse: Basil contains potent antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants have potential anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting effects.
Supports digestion: Basil has been traditionally used to aid digestion. It can help soothe the stomach, reduce bloating and gas, and promote healthy digestion.
Common Q + A's for this Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast
It's already gluten-free so long as the ingredients you use, such as the pesto sauce is labeled gluten-free. You can serve the creamy pesto chicken with gluten-free pasta, potatoes, rice, or quinoa for a complete gluten-free meal.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used as a delicious alternative to chicken breast in this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as thighs may require a few extra minutes to cook through.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli if you don't have fresh broccoli on hand. Just make sure to thaw and drain the frozen broccoli before adding it to the dish. Keep in mind that the texture and cooking time may vary slightly compared to fresh broccoli.
Absolutely! This pesto chicken recipe can easily be doubled or scaled up to accommodate a larger crowd. Adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly and make sure to use a larger pan or baking dish for cooking.
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try!
If you're into this Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli, you'll love these other easy weeknight dinner recipes:
- Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken
- Chicken and Maple Banana Waffles
- Creamy Lemon Herb Parmesan Chicken
- Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- Creamy Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken + Spinach Tortellini
- Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken
- Sheet Pan Maple Apple Chicken + Veggies
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.
Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
CREAMY PESTO SAUCE:
- 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/s cups organic heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups organic chicken stock or vegetable stock
- 2 Tbsps white cooking wine, optional (You can substitute with additional stock)
- ¼ cup pesto sauce, homemade or store-bought
- 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan
- handful broccoli or broccolini, ends trimmed
Instructions
SEASON THE CHICKEN:
- In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken along with the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and parsley, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. NOTE: It's always best to marinate your chicken overnight in the fridge.
SEAR THE CHICKEN:
- In a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and once heated, add the minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the seasoned chicken and cook on each side until seared, about 3-4 minutes each side. Once brown on each side, remove from skillet and set unto a plate to "rest" while you make the sauce.
TO MAKE THE CREAMY PESTO SAUCE:
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil until heated.
- Add in the pesto sauce and stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add in the heavy cream, chicken stock, and white wine, stirring until combined. Let it slightly bubble for 1-2 minutes and then add in the grated parmesan, whisking until fully melted and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the broccoli or broccolini, stirring until combined and return the chicken breasts. Let everything simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. NOTE: If using chopped potatoes, then be sure to add them in during this time as well.
- Stir the sauce occasionally and spoon it unto the chicken breasts as they continue to cook.
- Remove from heat once done.
- To serve, enjoy the chicken with your favorite side (i.e. rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, veggies, etc.). Garnish with a bit of grated parmesan (for extra cheesy flavor), if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- VEGGIES: If you don't like or want to use broccoli or broccolini or to add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as kale, spinach, asparagus, tomatoes, collards, or asparagus.
- DAIRY-FREE OPTION: To make this creamy pesto sauce dairy-free, simply swap the cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. And use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese, parmesan, or nutritional yeast instead of regular parmesan.
Nutrition
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