Description
This Easy Baked Pesto Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with a creamy basil pesto mayo and crunchy panko breadcrumbs. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner, it bakes in the oven to a perfect golden crust while keeping the chicken moist and tender.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breast halves (1.25 pounds)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1/3 cup Hellman’s (Best Food’s) Mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs (panko is best)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet by coating it with nonstick spray, and lay down some foil for easier cleanup.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat each chicken breast dry using a paper towel and season all sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart to ensure even baking.
- Mix Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and basil pesto, stirring until well blended.
- Apply Sauce: Spoon the pesto mayo mixture on top of each chicken breast, spreading carefully to keep it from sliding off the edges. Avoid contaminating any leftover sauce if you plan to serve it on the side.
- Add Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle a generous amount of panko breadcrumbs over the pesto-coated chicken breasts, using about 3 tablespoons total to create a crispy topping.
- Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Juices should run clear when pierced.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the chicken immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Using panko breadcrumbs provides a lighter, crunchier crust compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- For easy cleanup, line the baking sheet with foil under the spray.
- Using a meat thermometer is highly recommended to ensure perfectly cooked chicken without drying it out.
- Leftover sauce can be served with the cooked chicken for added flavor.
- Ensure chicken breasts are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
