Best 5 Pesto Chicken Bake Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our delectable Pesto Chicken Bake, a dish that tantalizes the taste buds with its vibrant green pesto, succulent chicken, and a medley of vegetables. This culinary masterpiece is a symphony of textures, featuring tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, cheesy topping that melts in your mouth. The pesto, a vibrant green sauce made with fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, adds a burst of herbaceousness to every bite. The chicken, marinated in a blend of herbs and spices, provides a savory and juicy centerpiece to the dish. Nestled amidst the chicken and vegetables, the creamy cheese topping adds a luscious richness that perfectly complements the other flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cooking enthusiast, this Pesto Chicken Bake is sure to impress with its effortless elegance and irresistible taste. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.

Additional Recipes Mentioned in the Article:

1. **Pesto Pasta:**

Treat yourself to the classic combination of pesto and pasta in this simple yet satisfying dish. The vibrant green pesto, made with fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, coats every strand of pasta, creating a flavorful and aromatic experience.

2. **Pesto Potatoes:**

Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these pesto potatoes are a delightful side dish or snack. The combination of pesto and potatoes creates a unique and irresistible flavor profile that will have you reaching for more.

3. **Pesto Bruschetta:**

Elevate your next gathering with this classic Italian appetizer. Toasted bread is topped with a generous amount of pesto, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures.

4. **Pesto Pizza:**

Experience the perfect balance of flavors with this pesto pizza. A crispy pizza crust is topped with a flavorful pesto sauce, mozzarella cheese, and an assortment of your favorite toppings, resulting in a mouthwatering and satisfying meal.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PESTO CHICKEN AND RICE BAKE



Pesto Chicken and Rice Bake image

This is a comforting casserole which requires just a few ingredients and in less than an hour dinner will be ready. For little ones, it's best to chop the tenders into bite-sized pieces.

Provided by thedailygourmet

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Baked and Roasted     Breasts

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

cooking spray
1 ¾ cups water, divided
1 (6.9 ounce) package chicken-flavored rice and vermicelli mix
¼ cup basil pesto, divided
1 pound chicken tenderloins, tendons removed
½ cup Alfredo sauce
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray an 8-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
  • Mix 1 1/2 cups water together with rice, seasoning packets, and 2 tablespoons pesto. Pour mixture into the casserole dish.
  • Toss chicken tenders with remaining pesto in a shallow dish. Place chicken on top of the rice.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  • Mix remaining water with Alfredo sauce. Remove dish from the oven and pour Alfredo sauce over the chicken, stirring to combine. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake until cheese melts, about 15 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 443.4 calories, Carbohydrate 40.4 g, Cholesterol 75.9 mg, Fat 16.3 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 34.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 1116.5 mg, Sugar 2.7 g

PESTO CHICKEN BAKE



Pesto Chicken Bake image

This pesto chicken bake recipe only uses one pan and is a quick meal to prepare that is delicious for the whole family.

Provided by SDaisy2

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Thigh Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 ½ pounds bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
1 ½ pounds baby red potatoes
1 pint cherry tomatoes
½ cup pesto
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Combine chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, pesto, water, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large roasting pan; mix well.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and juices run clear, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 780.3 calories, Carbohydrate 32.6 g, Cholesterol 186.7 mg, Fat 46.5 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 57.1 g, SaturatedFat 12.5 g, Sodium 453.6 mg, Sugar 1.7 g

PESTO PASTA CHICKEN BAKE



Pesto Pasta Chicken Bake image

Creamy and delicious and nice enough to serve to guests.

Provided by Genevieve Johns Seivert

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Baked and Roasted

Time 1h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
cooking spray
2 ½ cups chopped, cooked chicken
2 (10 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (12 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (7 ounce) container pesto
¾ cup chopped, drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento peppers
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 3 1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Drain pasta and place in a large bowl. Add cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, artichoke hearts, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and pimento peppers; mix to combine. Spoon pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until sauce is bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 607.6 calories, Carbohydrate 56 g, Cholesterol 58.3 mg, Fat 30.2 g, Fiber 5.1 g, Protein 31.4 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 1072.8 mg, Sugar 2.7 g

CHICKEN PESTO PASTA BAKE



Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake image

This recipe was born out of my need to use up some things from my freezer- chopped chicken meat and homemade basil pesto. It's easy, tasty, and can be made ahead. If you want to make a one dish meal out of this, toss in a 10 ounce bag of thawed frozen vegetables. I used homemade stock as well, but canned will work fine.

Provided by IngridH

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 35m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

12 ounces penne pasta, other similar sized shapes work too
3/4 lb chicken (cooked)
4 tablespoons pesto sauce (homemade or bottled)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups chicken stock
1 chicken bouillon cube
salt
pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta to just short of al dente.
  • Drain the pasta, and place in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the chopped chicken and pesto to the bowl, and stir to coat.
  • If adding vegetables, add them to the bowl now.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add the flour, and whisk to form a roux.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Slowly whisk the stock into the roux.
  • Bring to a boil, and contiue to whisk until the sauce is slightly thickened.
  • Crumble the boullion cube, and add to the sauce.
  • Stir in the lemon juice.
  • Taste the sauce for seasoning, and add salt or pepper as needed.
  • Add the sauce to the chicken and pasta mixture.
  • Stir to combine well, then place the mixture in the prebared baking dish.
  • Top with the grated cheese.
  • If making ahead, cover at this point and chill until needed.
  • Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden. If made ahead, the baking time may need to be increased.

PESTO CHICKEN SPAGHETTI SQUASH BAKE



Pesto Chicken Spaghetti Squash Bake image

A creative and healthy alternative to baked ziti or lasagna! Enjoy all the flavors of Italian night without the guilt.

Provided by Love Sweat Mangia!

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 1h47m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 spaghetti squash
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch dried oregano
1 pinch garlic powder
1 cup pesto
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place spaghetti squash on a microwave-safe plate and cut small slits in it with a knife. Cook in the microwave on high, about 5 minutes. Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place cut-side down on a microwave-safe plate and cook until slightly softened, about 5 minutes more.
  • Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over squash and place cut-side down on a baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until easily pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Use a fork to scrape insides of squash into spaghetti strands. Spread evenly in a casserole dish.
  • Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, oregano, and garlic powder.
  • Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook until browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 6 minutes per side.
  • Cut cooked chicken into 1/2-inch cubes and toss with pesto in a bowl.
  • Combine ricotta cheese, egg yolk, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
  • Layer half the marinara sauce, ricotta mixture, and pesto chicken on top of squash in the casserole dish. Repeat layers once more. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 30 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and broil until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 369.1 calories, Carbohydrate 11.2 g, Cholesterol 93.1 mg, Fat 23.9 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 28.1 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 520.3 mg, Sugar 1.7 g

Tips:

  • Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes: This will ensure the best possible flavor in your dish.
  • Use fresh basil: Fresh basil has a much more intense flavor than dried basil.
  • Don't overcook the chicken: Chicken breast can easily become dry and tough if it's overcooked. Cook it to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serve the dish immediately: This dish is best served fresh out of the oven. The flavors will start to fade after a few hours.

Conclusion:

This pesto chicken bake is a quick and easy weeknight meal that's sure to please the whole family. It's packed with flavor, and it's a great way to use up leftover chicken. Serve it with a side of pasta or rice, and you've got a complete meal that everyone will love.

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