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Chicken Margherita For One First Image

Pesto Chicken Bake


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  • Author: Chef John
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Description

A delicious and easy chicken bake topped with pesto, tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil (divided)
  • 1 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast (or boneless, skinless chicken thighs)
  • 2 tablespoons pesto
  • ½ cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 ounce shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Lightly coat the bottom of a small baking dish with ¼ teaspoon olive oil. Place the chicken breast in the dish.
  3. Spread pesto over the chicken, scatter tomatoes around it, and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
  5. Top with mozzarella and bake for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted.
  6. Lemon Garlic Sauce: Melt butter in a small skillet. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice and parsley, then cook for 1 minute more. Spoon the sauce over the chicken before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, consider using chicken thighs instead of breasts.
  • Feel free to add more vegetables like spinach or bell peppers.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken with toppings
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg