Flavorful Pesto Chicken Bake with Mozzarella
A quick and easy pesto chicken bake topped with melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for family meals and weeknight dinners. This dish combines juicy chicken breasts with vibrant pesto and creamy mozzarella for a comforting yet light meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the pesto sauce with the minced garlic and stir well.
- Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and toss gently but thoroughly in the pesto mixture to coat each piece. Marinate for 15 minutes if time allows.
- Lightly brush the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch baking dish with olive oil. Place the pesto-coated chicken breasts evenly spaced in the dish.
- Generously cover each chicken breast with shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese.
- Optionally, scatter halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top before serving.
Notes
Dry the chicken breasts before coating to help pesto stick better and create a better crust. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F. If cheese browns too fast, tent with foil during baking. Fresh mozzarella melts creamier but can release moisture; combining fresh and shredded mozzarella works well. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 40
Keywords: pesto chicken bake, mozzarella chicken, easy family dinner, baked chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, weeknight meal, cheesy chicken bake