Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken Recipe
This sun dried tomato pesto chicken is a quick, flavorful, and healthy dinner made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Juicy chicken breasts are coated in a homemade red pesto sauce with the rich taste of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs—no cream needed. This chicken with sun dried tomato pesto delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in under 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Author: Sheeba
Ingredients
Seasoning for chicken
- 300 grams chicken (10.5 ounces) boneless breasts or thighs
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Sun dried tomato pesto
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes (5 or 6 halves)
- ¼ cup roasted cashews
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons Parmigiano Reggiano grated
- ¼ cup fresh thyme and parsley
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Tomato pesto chicken
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ red bell pepper
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
STEP BY STEP IMAGES
Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!
Instructions
Marinate chicken
- Thinly slice 300 grams chicken (10.5 ounces) horizontally and then cut each half into two. Pound them to get even thickness.
- For detailed pictures, you can refer to the recipe for panko crusted chicken.
- For the seasoning, mix ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add to the chicken and toss.
- Add ½ teaspoon lemon juice and mix again.
- Pierce the chicken with a fork to allow it to absorb the marinade better. Let it marinate while you make the tomato pesto.
Make sun dried tomato pesto
- Using a blender or food processor, blend together into a smooth paste: ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes, ¼ cup roasted cashews, 1 clove garlic2 tablespoons Parmigiano Reggiano (grated), ¼ cup fresh thyme and parsley, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.
Brown the chicken
- Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a wide pan. Add the chicken and sear on medium high heat for about 3 minutes each side.
- Remove the browned chicken and keep aside.
Make red pesto cream sauce
- In the same pan, add 1 onion, finely chopped finely. Sauté until it starts to brown.
- Add 2 cloves garlic, minced and stir for a couple of minutes.
- Finely dice ½ red bell pepperand add to the onions. Stir for a few minutes on medium heat.
- Add the blended tomato pesto and 1 cup water. Mix well and bring it to a boil.
- Roughly chop ½ cup spinachand add.
Finish
- Place the browned chicken gently in the pan. Coat the chicken pieces with the creamy sauce.
- Cover and cook for 5 minutes on medium low heat.
- Stir-in 2 tablespoons fresh basil and 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
- Turn off the stove and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Garnish with more herbs and serve with pasta, quinoa or bread.
Video
Notes
- Marinating time: Though 10 minutes of marination is sufficient, you'll get the best results by marinating longer (even overnight).
- Refrigerated chicken: If you're marinating chicken longer, it has to be refrigerated. Take it out from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
- Browning the chicken: Don't overcrowd the pan. If your pan is small, cook the chicken in batches.
- Cooking time: By using thinly sliced chicken, we cut down the marinating and cooking time. Once the chicken is browned, it takes only a few minutes to finish cooking in the sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
270
% Daily Value*
Fat
15.8
g
24
%
Saturated Fat
2.9
g
18
%
Trans Fat
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
2.1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
9.5
g
Cholesterol
49.7
mg
17
%
Sodium
441.6
mg
19
%
Potassium
778.2
mg
22
%
Carbohydrates
13.6
g
5
%
Fiber
2.9
g
12
%
Sugar
5.8
g
6
%
Protein
20.4
g
41
%
Vitamin A
1254.3
IU
25
%
Vitamin C
33.3
mg
40
%
Calcium
79.9
mg
8
%
Iron
2.6
mg
14
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.