Creamy Garlic Pesto Chicken Recipe – This stir-fried chicken with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and bell peppers in a creamy garlic sauce is simply amazing. The flavorful sauce infuses every single bite of this fail-proof, family-friendly dinner! All ingredients combine perfectly with each other – this garlic pesto chicken is delicious and so creamy!
Table of Contents
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the Creamy Garlic Pesto Chicken
- 3-4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 red onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained of most oil, chopped (keep the drained oil for cooking)
- 3 bell peppers (1 red, 1/2 yellow, and 1/2 green)
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper
- Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
- Parmesan, for garnish
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make the pesto chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of the drained tomato oil with Italian seasoning and crushed chili pepper in a large nonstick skillet. Add chicken breasts to the skillet and cook on medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side, until cooked. If the chicken starts to brown too much, lower the heat. Remove chicken from the skillet, and set aside.
2. Prepare the sauce by combining basil pesto, cream, and chicken stock in a mixing cup or bowl; whisk until thoroughly combined and set aside.
3. Return the skillet to heat and stir in onion, garlic, and sun-dried tomato. If the skillet is dry, add a little more oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. Cook over medium-high heat for about 1 minute, or until just fragrant. Add bell peppers and continue cooking until slightly cooked but still crisp.
4. Add the prepared pesto sauce to the skillet and bring it to a simmer. Slice chicken breasts into strips and return to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through. Garnish with parmesan and basil, serve the creamy pesto chicken immediately on top of pasta, rice, zucchini noodles, or bulgur. Enjoy! ❤️
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the creamy pesto chicken recipe
- Make sure to bring chicken breasts at room temperature before cooking. 15 minutes on the counter while you prepare the other ingredients should be enough.
- We like to add a drizzle of hot sauce like Sriracha for a kick of spice!
Can we make the pesto chicken with chicken thighs?
Yes, but keep in mind chicken thighs have more fat than chicken breasts. You might want to use skinless, boneless chicken thighs. Cook as directed, rest, slice, then add the chicken back to the cream sauce.
How and how long to keep the creamy pesto chicken leftovers?
You can keep the creamy pesto chicken leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat with a few drops of water to loosen the cream sauce.
What to serve with the creamy pesto chicken?
You can serve the creamy pesto chicken on top of pasta, rice, bulgur or if you’re on a low-carb diet, try zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
More chicken recipes you might like
- Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
- Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus
- CrockPot Tuscan Garlic Chicken Thighs With Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Leave a Reply
Shiho
2023-05-14 19:59:39
Doubled the sauce but it’s a bit runny even when everything is doubled, so added some flour to it. 👍 Very flavorful! I will make again.
Jennifer
2023-04-04 15:52:34
This was a great recipe but needed a few tweaks. I seasoned the chicken before grilling as someone else suggested, added chicken buillon to the sauce to deepen the flavor, and added lemon juice at the end for acid. Doubled the sauce to serve with spaghetti noodles. Really good!
Lori
2023-03-01 21:47:10
SO MUCH FLAVOR! I doubled the sauce and added penne noodles to make this recipe into a pasta and everyone loved it!
Laila
2023-01-27 20:04:02
This is incredible, thank you!
Kim
2022-10-17 19:45:54
Excellent. I doubled the sauce per other suggestions and it was perfect. I also seasoned the chicken before adding it to the pot. The whole family enjoyed it and I will definitely be making it again.
Matt
2022-08-20 10:11:24
I’d love to save this so I can make it later, but you won’t let me. I’ll just go get something similar elsewhere. I don’t need you.
Maria
2021-06-14 17:06:44
This was amazing. I just had red bell peppers so used those instead of a variety. Agree I would like more sauce, but I ALWAYS like more sauce!
Sue
2021-06-03 20:34:02
It was ok, kind of bland. I would deglaze with white wine, increase the cream and chicken broth by a third at least. Add some kosher salt with the Italian seasoning and let rest for the flavors to blend for at least 10 minutes.
Deborah
2021-05-12 22:37:10
First time I made this dish! Fantastic!! I made a 4 serving size which kept the 2 of us eating for 2 nights straight! Thank you! It’s on the top of my list of meals. FYI the red pepper flakes I put in had my husband’s nose run! Haha 😂
Kristopher
2021-04-22 20:57:00
God recipe but I would definitely double the sauce.
Liz
2021-04-13 15:15:29
Looks delicious, could I make it with shrimp instead of chicken?
Katie
2021-04-08 13:13:07
Very tasty!! My boyfriend and I made this with rice and it is delicious! Also he is very very very picky when it comes to food and he loved this. I did tweak it by adding a little more broth, cream, and pesto and also cooked a little with olive oil. We will definitely be making this again!!
Shelby
2021-03-11 21:07:45
I always follow a recipe to a T the first time so I can make adjustments later. I was pretty disappointed with this. The sauce to meat ratio is WAY off. Also a tad bland.
Elle
2020-12-31 04:26:01
This was absolutely delicious! I thickened the sauce a bit with cornflower paste.
Charley
2020-11-20 23:59:29
Very good recipe! My bf is a picky eater and he loved it.
