Baked Chicken Pesto Parmesan

Baked Chicken Pesto Parmesan takes just 25 minutes and 4 ingredients to make and is loaded with cheesy goodness. It’s a favorite easy weeknight recipe!

This Baked Chicken Pesto Parmesan recipe is for those nights. Those nights when your day was so crazy and hectic that the thought of having to feed your family sounds like a huge burden. Those nights when you need to get something on the dinner table quick, and refuse to succumb to grabbing fast food. This recipe is one that I turn to again and again because I usually have the ingredients on hand and because it’s so ridiculously easy. I’ve even left the recipe for Jared to make by himself, which is saying something because usually he doesn’t cook. Anyone can make this, even if you’re exhausted, worn down, and sleep deprived from a long day. It’s exactly the kind of weeknight recipe you all have been asking me for via email and on Facebook!

The simplicity of this recipe is perfect, but you can also switch things up and add your own twists if you’d like. Feel free to use whatever melting cheese you have on hand, or you could even go more classic with marinara sauce instead of pesto. The recipe is easy to halve for 2 servings, or double for larger families or for leftovers. I like to make this with homemade pesto which I like to make, scoop into an ice cube tray, freeze, then pop the pesto cubes into an airtight container and store in the freezer until I’m ready to defrost and use. I like to serve this chicken with whole wheat spaghetti tossed with olive oil, lemon zest and juice, parsley, salt and pepper and some steamed veggies.

What’s your go-to weeknight meal recipe?

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Who doesn’t love the marriage of pesto and chicken, especially when there’s mozzarella and parmesan involved?
Texture: The chicken is perfectly tender and juicy, with a generous coating of pesto and beautifully melted and slightly golden cheese.
Ease: Easy peasy lemon squeezy. 25 minutes and 4 ingredients (not including salt and pepper) is all you need to get this on the table.
Appearance: Who could say no to golden melted cheese??
Pros: A perfectly quick, easy, and flavorful weeknight recipe that you’ll turn to again and again.
Cons: None.
Would I make this again? I’ve made this many times!

How to make

Baked Chicken Pesto Parmesan

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Baked Chicken Pesto Parmesan takes just 25 minutes and 4 ingredients to make and is loaded with cheesy goodness. It's a favorite easy weeknight recipe!

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup pesto, homemade or store-bought
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Place the chicken on a foil lined baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Rub the tops of the chicken with the pesto then sprinkle with both cheeses. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and registers an internal temperature of 165°F.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a picture and share it on Instagram with #handletheheat so we can all see!

Recipe by Tessa Arias