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Pesto Chicken Bake with Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 670 reviews
  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Pesto Chicken Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make meal featuring tender chicken cutlets topped with garlic, vibrant pesto, fresh tomato slices, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients into a flavorful, comforting dish baked to juicy perfection.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken

  • 2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 4 cutlets

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 to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the chicken evenly.
  2. Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breast cutlets in a single, even layer in a baking dish. Lightly season each cutlet with salt for balanced flavor.
  3. Add Garlic and Pesto: Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic evenly over each chicken cutlet, spreading it out carefully. Then, add 1 tablespoon of pesto on top of each cutlet and spread evenly to coat the surface.
  4. Top with Tomatoes and Cheese: Arrange 2-3 slices of fresh tomato on top of each chicken piece. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over each cutlet for a melty, flavorful finish.
  5. Bake: Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165ºF and the juices run clear.
  6. Rest and Serve: Once baked, cover the dish and let the chicken rest for approximately 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken tender.

Notes

  • Chicken breasts at the grocery store can be quite large, often around 16 ounces each. For even cooking and proper portion sizes, butterfly-cutting them into smaller cutlets is recommended.
  • Alternatively, buy pre-cut chicken breast cutlets, typically around 6-8 ounces each, to reduce preparation time and ensure consistent cooking.
  • Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165ºF for safe consumption.
  • Resting the baked chicken under cover helps retain moisture and enhances juiciness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken cutlet with toppings
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 44g
  • Cholesterol: 125mg

Find it online: https://emilyquickdinners.com/pesto-chicken-bake-with-tomatoes-and-mozzarella-recipe/