Description
This Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach is a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are sautéed to golden perfection, then simmered in a luscious sauce made of pesto, heavy cream, and fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes and spinach. The dish comes together in just 25 minutes and pairs wonderfully with rice or pasta for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 5 or 6 thinly sliced chicken breasts (butterflied, sliced in half, or into tenders)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Onion powder, to taste
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped, stems removed
- 1/4 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup chicken stock, lightly salted
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin pieces and season them evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until lightly browned on the outside and nearly cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same pan, add the minced garlic, chopped shallot, cherry tomatoes, and the optional red pepper flakes. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes start to soften and shallots become translucent. Then add the chopped spinach, pesto, heavy cream, and chicken stock, stirring well to combine. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes to let the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
- Finish Dish: Return the chicken to the pan with the sauce, spooning some sauce over the pieces. Continue simmering for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is creamy and thickened. Serve hot over cooked rice or pasta for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Butterflying the chicken breasts or slicing them thinly ensures quick and even cooking.
- You can use store-bought pesto for convenience or homemade pesto for fresher flavor.
- The red pepper flakes add a subtle heat but can be omitted if you prefer a milder dish.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture; frozen spinach can be used but drain well before adding.
- If you want a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and confirm your pesto is dairy-free.
