Flavorful Pesto Chicken Cherry Tomatoes (Printable Format)
Juicy chicken baked in basil pesto with roasted cherry tomatoes for a vibrant and easy dinner.
# Needed Ingredients:
→ Poultry
01 -
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 pounds)
→ Herbs and Sauces
02 -
1/2 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
→ Produce
03 -
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
04 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
→ Oils
06 -
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
→ Seasonings
07 -
Salt, to taste
08 -
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
09 -
Parmesan cheese, optional, freshly grated
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F and allow it to reach temperature while preparing the other components.
02 -
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 -
Evenly season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
04 -
Spread roughly 2 tablespoons of basil pesto over the top of each chicken breast using a spoon or brush.
05 -
Place pesto-coated chicken in a single layer in a baking dish.
06 -
Distribute the halved cherry tomatoes around and on top of the chicken. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle minced garlic evenly over the tomatoes and chicken.
07 -
Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and tomatoes are soft and lightly caramelized.
08 -
Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with fresh lemon juice. If desired, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
# Supplementary Details:
01 -
Resting the chicken helps retain juiciness and prevents dryness when slicing.