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Pesto Chicken Bake Recipe

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3.9 from 13 reviews

A flavorful and easy-to-make Pesto Chicken Bake featuring tender chicken breast cutlets topped with garlic, fresh pesto, juicy tomato slices, and melted mozzarella cheese, baked to perfection for a delicious family meal.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 pounds chicken breast cut into 4 cutlets

Seasoning and Toppings

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 4 tablespoons pesto
  • 2 large tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC) to prepare it for baking the chicken cutlets evenly.
  2. Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breast cutlets in a single even layer inside a baking dish. Lightly season each cutlet with salt for basic seasoning.
  3. Add Garlic and Pesto: Distribute 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic evenly over each chicken cutlet. Then, spread 1 tablespoon of pesto on top of each cutlet, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
  4. Top with Tomatoes and Cheese: Lay 2 to 3 slices of fresh tomato on top of each pesto-covered cutlet. Finally, sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tomatoes and chicken.
  5. Bake Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 22 to 25 minutes. The chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC) and juices run clear.
  6. Rest and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven, cover it, and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving.

Notes

  • Make sure the chicken cutlets are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
  • You can substitute mozzarella with another mild melting cheese like provolone or fontina if preferred.
  • If fresh pesto is not available, store-bought pesto works well—adjust the quantity to taste.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely to 165ºF.
  • Resting the chicken helps keep it juicy and tender.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/pesto-chicken-bake-recipe/