The rich aroma of basil pesto and sautéed garlic fills the kitchen as you prepare this quick and creamy chicken skillet dinner. The combination of seared chicken, juicy tomatoes, and a velvety pesto sauce creates a dish that’s both elegant and deeply comforting.
This is one of those go-to meals you’ll want on repeat — fast enough for weeknights, but special enough to serve to guests. Whether paired with pasta, zucchini noodles, or roasted vegetables, this creamy pesto chicken is a surefire hit for any occasion.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1/3 cup basil pesto
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Directions:
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
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Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften.
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Reduce heat to medium-low, pour in the heavy cream, and stir in the basil pesto. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
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Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top.
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Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, cover, and simmer for an additional 3–5 minutes.
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Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 435 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet: A Quick and Elegant Dinner Solution
The Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet is one of those rare recipes that delivers on all fronts — speed, simplicity, and standout flavor. It’s the kind of dish you whip up after a long day, yet it tastes like you spent hours crafting it. With its luscious sauce, tender chicken breasts, and hints of garlic, Parmesan, and fresh basil, this dish brings a touch of gourmet right into your home kitchen.
What makes this recipe truly exceptional is the combination of a silky cream-based pesto sauce with golden-seared chicken. The sauce is infused with the brightness of basil pesto and the depth of freshly grated Parmesan, creating a flavor profile that’s comforting yet sophisticated. Add a burst of freshness from halved cherry tomatoes and a little garlicky undertone, and you’ve got a complete meal that feels indulgent without being overly rich.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish strikes the perfect balance between convenience and deliciousness. It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you’re craving something homemade but don’t have hours to cook. It’s a one-pan wonder, meaning cleanup is minimal — a bonus for any home cook.
Beyond practicality, the flavor is what keeps people coming back to this meal. The basil pesto provides an herby, aromatic punch that’s mellowed out beautifully by the cream. Meanwhile, the chicken becomes wonderfully tender after simmering in the sauce, soaking up all those savory notes. The cherry tomatoes add brightness and a slight acidity that keeps everything balanced and fresh.
Another reason to love this recipe? It’s endlessly customizable. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, accommodating dietary restrictions, or just trying to use up ingredients in your fridge, you can tweak the components without compromising on taste.
Perfect Pairings for Creamy Pesto Chicken
This chicken dish is incredibly versatile when it comes to pairings. For a low-carb meal, serve it with steamed green beans, cauliflower mash, or zucchini noodles. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, go for buttery mashed potatoes, al dente pasta, or fluffy rice to soak up all that irresistible sauce.
A crisp side salad with lemon vinaigrette makes a great contrast to the creamy richness of the dish. Roasted asparagus or broccoli also pair beautifully, adding a bit of crunch and freshness to the plate.
And don’t forget the bread! A warm slice of crusty baguette or garlic bread is perfect for mopping up every last drop of that pesto-cream sauce.
The Secret Behind the Sauce
The heart of this recipe lies in the sauce — and it’s deceptively simple. Made with heavy cream and store-bought or homemade basil pesto, it’s a luxurious, herbaceous base that elevates the dish. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty bite, giving the sauce depth and a subtle umami quality.
You can use any pesto you like, but going with a high-quality store-bought pesto or making your own from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil will take this dish to the next level. The heavy cream mellows out the pesto, while allowing its bold flavors to shine through without being overpowering.
Garlic enhances the overall aroma and adds a welcome kick, while the cherry tomatoes — cooked until just softened — provide a contrast in texture and flavor, balancing the sauce’s richness with a juicy pop.
A Great Option for Meal Prep
If you’re into meal prep or cooking in bulk, this recipe is a fantastic candidate. The cooked chicken and sauce hold up well in the fridge for up to four days, and the flavors deepen over time. Simply store the dish in an airtight container and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
You can double the batch and portion it out with a side of your choice for ready-to-go lunches and dinners throughout the week. It reheats beautifully and tastes just as good, if not better, the next day.
It also freezes well! Store portions in freezer-safe containers and defrost overnight in the fridge for a no-stress dinner on busy nights.
Healthier Tweaks and Variations
Despite being indulgent, this recipe can easily be adjusted to fit your nutritional goals. Looking to cut calories or fat? Substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or unsweetened coconut milk. Want to make it dairy-free? Use a plant-based cream alternative and skip the Parmesan or use a vegan version.
You can also experiment with different proteins. Chicken thighs, turkey cutlets, or even tofu can be used in place of chicken breasts. Shrimp also works wonderfully, giving the dish a slightly different texture and flavor.
For a veggie boost, stir in fresh spinach or kale toward the end of cooking. Mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted red peppers also make tasty additions and complement the flavors of the pesto and cream beautifully.
Serving Suggestions for Entertaining
If you’re entertaining guests, this recipe is a winner. It looks impressive served in a cast-iron skillet at the table, garnished with fresh basil and a generous shaving of Parmesan. You can elevate the experience with a nice bottle of white wine — think Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio — which pairs well with the herbaceous and creamy notes of the dish.
Serve it alongside a seasonal salad, crusty bread, and a light dessert like panna cotta or lemon sorbet, and you’ve got a dinner party menu that’s guaranteed to impress.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
There’s something undeniably comforting about a dish that combines familiar ingredients in a new and elevated way. Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet brings together bold Italian-inspired flavors in a dish that’s not only fast to prepare but also consistently crowd-pleasing.
It’s the kind of recipe that feels like home but tastes like a restaurant-quality entrée. The simplicity of preparation, the one-pan cleanup, and the versatility in pairings and substitutions make this a staple worth adding to your regular rotation.
It’s also an excellent way to introduce new flavors to kids or picky eaters. The cream sauce softens the strong herbal tones of pesto, making it approachable and delicious for just about anyone.
Conclusion
The Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet is a recipe that deserves a permanent spot in your weekly menu. With its rich, aromatic sauce and tender, juicy chicken, it satisfies cravings while still feeling light and fresh. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a crowd, this dish delivers every time with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
It’s versatile, customizable, and ideal for both casual weeknight meals and special occasions. The balance of creaminess, herbaceousness, and umami richness is what makes it truly unforgettable. Once you try it, you’ll understand why this dish has become a go-to favorite for so many — and it might just become yours, too.