I am always looking for great, easy ways to prepare chicken. Since I regularly keep a small supply in the freezer, it’s an easy way for me to pull together a dinner when I have been less than diligent in my meal planning. This incredible and easy pesto chicken bake was one of those instances where I was able to create a recipe from what I had on hand!
When the pesto chicken bake was done it smelled so amazing! Then when I bit in it tasted even better than it smelled. The chicken was so tender, juicy and flavorful on its own. Smothering it in that easy pesto sauce and fresh mozzarella took it way over the top! I couldn’t believe how simple it was to make either. I loved having another great chicken dish to add to my arsenal and it had the Italian flair I love so much. Hope you all enjoy!
This easy pesto chicken bake is the perfect simple supper! It comes together quickly with loads of flavor from fresh pesto and smoked mozzarella.
- 3/4 cup fresh basil
- 1 clove garlic peeled
- 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
- 1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino romano cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried onion
- 2 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 pinches salt
- 2 pinches freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 thin slices smoked mozzarella
- First, make the pesto sauce. Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree it all together until it is a thick, chunky sauce. Set it aside. Then marinate the chicken. Stir the buttermilk, dried basil and dried onion together in a bowl. Then submerge the chicken in it and make sure both sides are coated. Let the chicken sit in the marinade for 15 minutes. While the chicken is marinating, pre-heat the oven to 375 and get out a small baking dish.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade when it is done and let all of the excess drip off, then transfer it to the baking dish. Discard the remaining marinade. Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper each, then smother each chicken breast with half of the pesto sauce. Place two slices of mozzarella on top of each chicken breast to cover them both almost completely. Bake the chicken for about 30 minutes. Then serve immediately with your favorite sides!
