Creamy Pesto Chicken
Published February 19, 2024
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A creamy pesto chicken recipe featuring juicy chicken smothered in a rich, flavorful cream sauce made from basil pesto and sun-dried tomatoes.
Unlike a traditional pesto chicken recipe, this version takes it up a notch by enveloping seared chicken thighs in a rich cream sauce made by blending the pesto with garlic, parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomato, which adds a zesty kick.
What makes this recipe different?
- Perfectly seared, golden crusted chicken – Unlike other recipes for pesto chicken that just pan-sear or pan-fry the chicken thighs or breasts, this recipe coats the chicken in oat fiber, then pan-sears the breaded chicken to create a golden crust around the chicken. This will help lock in the moisture while the chicken continues to braise in the sauce, ensuring the chicken stays juicy and tender on the inside.
- A better sauce than just plain pesto – Traditional pesto chicken is just chicken marinated and cooked in pesto sauce, but this skillet chicken recipe adds other flavors, like garlic, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and sun-dried tomatoes. All of that is mixed with heavy cream to create a thick, flavorful sauce you’ll want to scoop up with every bite.
- Low carb – Instead of coating the chicken with breadcrumbs or all-purpose flour, oat fiber locks in those juices with zero net carbs. Almond flour and pork panko are other keto-friendly options too.
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Ingredients
1/2 cup oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, drained -
3 tablespoons avocado oil
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2.5 pounds (~6) skinless, boneless chicken thighs
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1/4 cup oat fiber
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2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
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2 tablespoons butter
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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Pinch red pepper flakes
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1/2 cup chicken broth
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1 cup heavy whipping cream
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1/4 cup basil pesto
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1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Step by Step Instructions
Step by Step Instructions
Chop & preheat
Chop the sun dried tomatoes and set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, drained
Coat the chicken
Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Add oat fiber to a shallow bowl. Coat all sides of the seasoned chicken with oat fiber until evenly coated.
- 2.5 pounds chicken breast or thighs
- salt & pepper
- 1/4 cup oat fiber or favorite breading
Sear the chicken
Add oil to a large skillet pre-heated to medium-high heat. Working in batches so as not to crowd the skillet, add chicken to the skillet and sear on both sides until golden (about 3-5 minutes each side). It won’t be all the way cooked through – it will finish cooking in the oven. Remove the chicken and set on a plate. Sear the remaining chicken and remove to plate.
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
Seasoning base
To the same empty skillet, add butter, Italian seasoning, minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook until golden (about 2 minutes).
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch red pepper flakes
Finish the creamy pesto sauce
Stir in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the cream, pesto and chopped sun dried tomatoes.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Braise
Place seared chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet. Cover with sauce. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top and transfer to the preheated 400 °F oven to cook (uncovered), for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
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Get My Macros (Free) →Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use in place of the oat fiber?
The oat fiber is used to bread the chicken. You can use any flour to coat the chicken from almond flour, lupin flour or pork panko if you are trying to stay low-carb.
What do you serve with pesto chicken?
Try serving this creamy pesto chicken over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice or your favorite keto noodle.
