Easy Cheesy Pesto Chicken Bake — a healthy, simple, and delicious dish that takes just minutes to prepare and about 30 minutes to bake.
A quick, flavorful weeknight meal
Easy Cheesy Pesto Chicken Bake is a reliable weeknight favorite. With minimal prep and straightforward ingredients, this recipe delivers bright basil pesto, juicy chicken, fresh tomatoes, and gooey mozzarella in one satisfying dish. It’s perfect for busy evenings, meal prep, or anytime you want a comforting, Italian-inspired chicken dinner without a lot of fuss.
Ingredients you likely already have
This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients: chicken breasts, basil pesto (store-bought or homemade), fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, and salt and pepper. The combination of pesto and mozzarella creates a rich, savory filling, while sliced tomatoes add freshness and brightness. Because it’s so adaptable, you can scale the recipe or swap ingredients to suit your taste — for example, use sundried tomatoes for a more intense flavor or add a sprinkle of Parmesan before baking.
How to assemble the pesto-stuffed chicken
Butterflying the chicken breasts creates a pocket for the pesto and cheese. Lightly season each piece with salt and pepper, spread a spoonful of pesto inside, then add a portion of fresh mozzarella. Fold the chicken closed and secure with a toothpick if needed. Transfer the assembled breasts to a lightly oiled glass baking dish, spread a thin layer of pesto on top, then place additional mozzarella slices and fresh tomato slices over each breast.
Baking and serving
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30–35 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The mozzarella should be melted and slightly golden at the edges, and the tomatoes should soften but remain bright. Let the dish rest a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Make this simple recipe today!
Easy Cheesy Pesto Chicken Bake
Healthy, tasty, and straightforward—this cheesy pesto chicken bake is a go-to for busy nights. Fresh pesto, creamy mozzarella, and ripe tomatoes combine for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 3 Author: Rob
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, butterflied
- 1 (6 oz.) jar basil pesto, or homemade pesto
- 2–3 medium fresh tomatoes, sliced
- Fresh mozzarella cheese, about 4–6 oz., sliced
- Olive oil (about 2 tsp for the baking dish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place each chicken breast on a cutting board and butterfly it. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of pesto inside each butterflied breast and spread it evenly. Add a portion of mozzarella inside (roughly 1–2 slices or about 1/3 oz as a guideline).
- Fold each chicken breast over to enclose the filling and secure with a toothpick if necessary.
- Lightly oil a glass baking dish and arrange the stuffed breasts in the dish.
- Spoon additional pesto over the outside of each breast, then top with more slices of mozzarella and three tomato slices per breast.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, depending on breast size, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Allow the chicken to rest a few minutes before serving. Serve with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or a side of pasta for a complete meal.
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Disclaimer
Note: Any nutritional information provided is an approximation. Actual values vary based on ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods.