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Creamy Garlic Pesto Chicken Bake Easy Recipe with Roasted Tomatoes

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A comforting and flavorful chicken bake featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a creamy garlic pesto sauce with juicy roasted cherry tomatoes. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced or finely chopped
  • ½ cup basil pesto (120 ml), store-bought or homemade
  • ¾ cup heavy cream (180 ml)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes (about 300 g), halved
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease your baking dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  2. Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Optional: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown but not cooked through. Transfer to the baking dish.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine basil pesto, heavy cream, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour the creamy pesto sauce over the chicken breasts, coating each piece generously.
  6. Toss halved cherry tomatoes with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Scatter the tomatoes around and on top of the chicken.
  7. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce bubbles and thickens slightly.
  8. Check doneness by piercing the chicken with a fork; it should be tender and juices run clear. If needed, bake another 5 minutes.
  9. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

Searing the chicken before baking is optional but recommended for extra flavor and juiciness. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to redistribute juices. Watch tomatoes during baking to avoid overbaking. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, verify pesto ingredients.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic pesto chicken, chicken bake, roasted tomatoes, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, basil pesto chicken

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-garlic-pesto-chicken-bake-easy-recipe-with-roasted-tomatoes/