Description
This Pesto Chicken Bake is an easy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken cutlets topped with garlic, fresh pesto, juicy tomato slices, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines Mediterranean-inspired flavors and requires minimal prep and baking time for a satisfying, nutritious meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 4 cutlets
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Salt, to taste
Toppings
- 4 tablespoons pesto
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken dish evenly.
- Prepare the Chicken Baseline: Place the chicken cutlets in a single even layer in a suitable baking dish. Lightly season the chicken with salt for balanced flavor.
- Garlic and Pesto Application: Divide and spread 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic evenly over each chicken cutlet. Next, spoon 1 tablespoon of pesto onto each cutlet and spread it evenly to coat the top surface.
- Add Tomato Slices: Place 2 to 3 slices of fresh tomato evenly over each pesto-covered chicken cutlet, adding freshness and moisture.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over each chicken cutlet, creating a melty topping when baked.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) and the juices run clear.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the baking dish from the oven, cover it, and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving.
Notes
- *Chicken breasts can be large; for proper portioning and cooking, butterfly-cutting the breasts into cutlets is recommended, or purchase pre-cut chicken cutlets.
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- You can adjust the amount of garlic or pesto to taste but keep quantities balanced to not overpower the chicken.
- Letting the chicken rest covered helps to keep it juicy and tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken cutlet with toppings (approx. 6 ounces)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
