Description
A delicious and creamy pesto chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts sautéed with roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a rich, flavorful cream sauce. Perfectly balanced with savory seasonings and a hint of spice, this recipe comes together quickly on the stovetop for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 5 or 6 thinly sliced chicken breasts, butterflied, sliced in half, or into tenders
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Onion powder, to taste
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped, stems removed
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup chicken stock, lightly salted
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin pieces and season them evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until lightly browned on the outside and nearly cooked through. Then, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same pan, add the minced garlic, chopped shallot, halved cherry tomatoes, and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté until the tomatoes begin to soften and the shallots turn translucent. Next, add the chopped spinach, pesto, heavy cream, and chicken stock, stirring to combine. Allow the sauce to gently simmer so the flavors meld together.
- Finish Dish: Return the chicken to the pan with the sauce and continue simmering until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has slightly thickened. Serve hot over cooked rice or pasta for a wholesome meal.
Notes
- For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream and use dairy-free pesto.
- Butterflying or slicing the chicken thinly helps it cook evenly and quickly.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness.
- Serve over your choice of pasta, rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- Homemade pesto can elevate the dish’s flavor but store-bought works well for convenience.
