Description
This Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes & Spinach is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich pesto cream sauce with fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines vibrant, fresh ingredients with a creamy texture for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 5 or 6 thinly sliced chicken breasts, butterflied, sliced in half, or into tenders
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Onion powder, to taste
Sauce:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped, stems removed
- 1/4 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup chicken stock, lightly salted
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin pieces and season them evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the seasoned chicken until it is lightly browned on the outside and nearly cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same pan, add the minced garlic, chopped shallot, cherry tomatoes, and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté until the tomatoes begin to soften and the shallots turn translucent. Then add the chopped spinach, pesto, heavy cream, and chicken stock to the pan, stirring to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer gently so the flavors meld together.
- Finish Dish: Return the chicken to the pan with the sauce and continue simmering until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve hot over cooked rice or pasta for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative for a lighter or vegan variation, but it will affect the creaminess.
- Use homemade pesto for a fresher flavor or a good quality store-bought brand for convenience.
- Serve with your choice of grains such as quinoa, rice, or your favorite pasta.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your heat preference or omit entirely for a milder dish.
