Creamy Red Pesto Oven Baked Chicken Recipe
Juicy oven-baked chicken smothered in a rich, creamy red pesto sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and garlic. A simple, comforting dinner that pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or roasted veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup red pesto (sun-dried tomato pesto)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh basil for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking dish.
- 2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- 3. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- 4. In a bowl, whisk together heavy cream, red pesto, Parmesan, and garlic.
- 5. Place chicken in the baking dish and pour the creamy red pesto sauce over the top.
- 6. Bake 20–25 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
- 7. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh basil.
- 8. Serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness.
- Add spinach to the sauce for extra greens.
- Substitute half-and-half for a lighter version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: creamy red pesto oven baked chicken, red pesto chicken, creamy pesto chicken