Pesto Chicken Breast with Creamy Parmesan Sauce

Ingredients

- 4 chicken breast cutlets
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken:
Season the chicken breast cutlets evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

2. Pan Fry the Chicken:
Heat 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, keeping it warm.

3. Cook Onions and Garlic:
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the finely chopped sweet onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, ensuring the garlic does not burn.

4. Make the Sauce:
Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the basil pesto and grated Parmesan cheese, whisking until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.

5. Finish with Lemon:
Add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the sauce, stirring well. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

6. Combine and Serve:
Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the creamy Parmesan sauce over the cutlets. Let the chicken simmer gently in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Total Time

PT35M
35 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Pesto Chicken, Creamy Parmesan Sauce, Pan Fry Chicken, Basil Pesto Recipe, Lemon Chicken Dinner, Easy Chicken Recipe, Quick Dinner Idea, Gourmet Chicken Dish, Lemon Basil Chicken, Parmesan Pesto Chicken

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1,600 calories

#ChickenDinner #PestoChicken #ParmesanSauce #EasyRecipe #GourmetCooking