Pesto Chicken Parmesan: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dish
Looking for a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner that elevates a classic recipe? This Pesto Chicken Parmesan combines the comforting, crispy goodness of chicken parmesan with the fresh, aromatic taste of pesto. Topped with melted mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes, this dish is an absolute crowd-pleaser. Pair it with pasta or a light salad, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy meal in just 22 minutes!
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, butterflied
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup pesto sauce
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (see notes)
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally, creating two thin pieces of chicken from each breast.
- In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Press each chicken piece into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter. Let it melt and heat up.
- Once the skillet is hot, add the breaded chicken breasts. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Add Toppings:
- Lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Spread pesto sauce evenly on top of each chicken breast.
- Place a slice of mozzarella cheese over the pesto, and sprinkle with chopped sun-dried tomatoes for added flavor.
- Cover the skillet to allow the cheese to melt. Let it cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Once the cheese has melted, remove the chicken from the skillet.
- Serve your Pesto Chicken Parmesan with cooked pasta, a fresh salad, or any favorite side dish.
Tips:
- For extra crispiness, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F for an additional 5 minutes after pan-frying.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy punch to the dish, but feel free to use cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a different twist.
Quick Facts:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Servings: 2
- Calories: 470 kcal per serving
This Pesto Chicken Parmesan is a quick and delicious dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week. The crispy, cheesy chicken combined with the herbaceous pesto and sweet sun-dried tomatoes makes for a balanced, flavorful dish. Serve it alongside pasta, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad for a complete meal that’s sure to impress!
Pesto Chicken Parmesan
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
This Pesto Chicken Parmesan is the perfect combination of crispy chicken, melty mozzarella cheese, and rich pesto sauce. The sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavor, making this dish a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or a special dinner, this easy-to-make dish will impress with its bold Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, butterflied
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup pesto sauce
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (see notes)
4 slices mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them in half horizontally, like opening a book.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Press each piece of chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides fully.
Cook the Chicken:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter.
Once the skillet is hot, add the coated chicken breasts. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until both sides are golden and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Add Toppings:
Turn the heat to low. Spread pesto sauce evenly on top of each piece of chicken.
Place one slice of mozzarella cheese on each chicken breast, then sprinkle with chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt over the chicken.
Serve:
Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the chicken from the skillet.
Serve the Pesto Chicken Parmesan with cooked pasta, a fresh salad, or your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 470