Homemade Pesto (Nut-free) and Cheesy Pesto Chicken

When I found out how easy it was to make pesto, I was MIND BLOWN. When I made this easy, cheesy pesto chicken, I thought my head was going to spin off. I get so excited when I discover a quick, easy and DELISH dinner. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do! 

 Let’s start with the pesto. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups of fresh basil (not packed)

• 3-4 cloves of garlic (roughly chopped)

• 3/4 cups olive oil

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 tsp salt

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Step 1: Combine everything in your chopper. BOOM, that’s it. I know, wtf. You’ve been paying too much for pesto all along! 

Cheesy Pesto Baked Chicken

No need to chat, let's keep going!

Ingredients: 

• 3-4 chicken breasts

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)

• 1/3 cup basil pesto

• 1 cup of mozzarella

• Cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, for garnish

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  

Step 1: Soften cream cheese.

Step 2: Mix cream cheese and pesto together.

Step 3: Smear a generous amount on the tops of your raw chicken breasts.

Step 4: Add mozzarella cheese on top.

Step 5: Bake for 30-45 minutes, depending on chicken size. 

Step 6: Garnish with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. 

I usually serve this dish over angel hair pasta. If you want this to be a low-carb meal, cauliflower rice and salad are delicious options as well! I LOVE this chicken on a salad. I usually eat that for lunch when we have leftovers.

Basil is one of my favorite herbs. I grow it in the garden each summer and love to cook with it whenever I can. Pesto is so simple to make, and it’s very versatile! I add it to a lot of random dishes, especially pasta salads. I also love a fresh caprese salad. 

Hope you’re enjoying the end of summer. I’m getting so excited for this year’s fall festivities. 

Have the best day and enjoy the HECK out of this light refreshing dish! 

Always and Whatever

Xo