Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

The richness of the creamy pesto sauce perfectly balances the vibrant, slightly tangy roasted tomatoes, creating a dish that’s as comforting as it is satisfying. As the chicken simmers in the velvety sauce, it absorbs all those herbaceous flavors from the pesto—basil, garlic, and a hint of Parmesan—each bite bursting with savory goodness. The roasted tomatoes, caramelized just enough to bring out their natural sweetness, add a pop of color and a delightful juiciness to each forkful. The warm, herby aroma that fills your kitchen is enough to make anyone’s mouth water, and it’s hard to resist sneaking a taste before everything’s even plated. The texture of the chicken is tender and juicy, with the creamy sauce enveloping every bite, making this meal feel like a hug on a plate. I can’t help but love how this dish comes together so effortlessly, yet it feels like you’ve gone the extra mile with every thoughtful layer of flavor. You’ll find yourself savoring the simple but stunning combination, and maybe even adding a little extra pesto next time just for that extra indulgence.

Key Ingredients in Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

This dish is a celebration of simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a wonderfully balanced and comforting meal. Each component plays an important role in enhancing the overall flavor, bringing out the best in the creamy pesto sauce and roasted tomatoes. Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The chicken serves as the hearty base of the dish. Its mild flavor and tender texture absorb the creamy pesto sauce beautifully, ensuring each bite is juicy and satisfying.
• Olive Oil: A versatile fat used both to cook the chicken and to toss the tomatoes. It brings richness and helps to create a lovely golden sear on the chicken, adding depth to the overall dish.
• Garlic Powder: This simple yet essential seasoning enhances the savory flavor profile, contributing a subtle, warm garlic essence without overpowering the dish.
• Onion Powder: Another pantry staple, onion powder adds a savory, slightly sweet note to the dish, working in perfect harmony with the garlic powder for a balanced depth of flavor.
• Salt: A must-have for seasoning, salt helps to elevate all the flavors in the dish, ensuring that everything from the chicken to the tomatoes is perfectly seasoned.
• Black Pepper: A dash of black pepper adds a hint of warmth and spice, brightening up the flavors of the dish and offering a subtle contrast to the richness of the creamy pesto sauce.
• Heavy Cream: The foundation of the creamy pesto sauce, heavy cream brings a silky texture and a rich, velvety finish that envelops the chicken in a luscious, comforting sauce.
• Pesto Sauce: This is the star of the show! The vibrant, herbaceous pesto made from fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan is what gives the sauce its bold, tangy flavor. It adds layers of freshness and a burst of Italian-inspired goodness.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan brings a salty, umami-packed punch to the creamy sauce, deepening its flavor and helping to thicken it slightly, adding that extra touch of indulgence.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Roasted until caramelized, the tomatoes add a pop of color, sweetness, and juiciness. They provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken and pesto sauce.
• Balsamic Vinegar: A splash of balsamic vinegar for the roasted tomatoes gives them a tangy sweetness, balancing out their natural acidity and helping to elevate their flavor.
• Olive Oil (for roasting tomatoes): A little extra olive oil for the tomatoes ensures they roast beautifully, softening them and creating a slight crispiness around the edges, perfect for a tender, caramelized bite.
• Salt (for roasting tomatoes): A pinch of salt on the tomatoes enhances their sweetness as they roast, allowing the natural flavors to come forward and adding depth to each juicy bite.
• Black Pepper (for roasting tomatoes): Just a sprinkle of black pepper on the tomatoes adds a bit of heat, complementing their sweetness and rounding out the flavor profile.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: The finishing touch! Fresh basil adds a burst of brightness and a fragrant herbaceous note, making each bite feel light and refreshing while enhancing the pesto’s herbal depth.

How to Make Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

1. Pair with a Light Salad: The richness of the creamy pesto chicken can be beautifully balanced by a crisp, fresh salad. Think arugula, baby spinach, or mixed greens tossed in a simple lemon vinaigrette. The tanginess from the vinaigrette cuts through the creaminess, making every bite feel even more refreshing.

2. Serve Over Pasta or Zoodles: If you’re craving a carb-filled comfort meal, serve the creamy pesto chicken over your favorite pasta. Penne or fettuccine would be perfect for catching all that luscious sauce. For a lighter option, try zucchini noodles (zoodles) to keep things fresh and low-carb while still satisfying.

3. Pair with Warm, Crusty Bread: The sauce in this dish is so good, you’ll want something to scoop up every last drop. A thick slice of warm, crusty baguette or sourdough bread is just what you need to soak up all that creamy goodness and roasted tomato sweetness. It’s the ultimate comfort food combo!

How do you like to serve your creamy pesto chicken? I’d love to hear your go-to sides or any fun twists you add!

How to Store Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (which, trust me, is always a win), storing your creamy pesto chicken with roasted tomatoes properly ensures you can enjoy the dish again without sacrificing flavor. To keep everything tasting fresh, I recommend letting the dish cool to room temperature before storing it. Once cooled, transfer the chicken and sauce into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The creamy pesto sauce will stay velvety and rich, and the roasted tomatoes will keep their sweet, caramelized flavor.

If you’re thinking of saving the dish for a longer period, freezing is an option, but be mindful that the cream-based sauce might change texture once thawed. To freeze, place the chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container, leaving a little space at the top for expansion. It can stay in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of cream if the sauce needs a little refreshing.

Finally, when reheating, be sure to do it slowly over low heat to preserve the creamy texture and avoid separating the sauce. Stir occasionally, and once it’s nice and heated through, serve with a sprinkle of fresh basil for that just-made taste.

Conclusion

And there you have it—Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes, a dish that’s as comforting as it is bursting with flavor! The combination of tender chicken, creamy pesto sauce, and juicy roasted tomatoes is nothing short of magical. It’s one of those meals that feels fancy enough for a dinner party, but easy enough to whip up on a cozy evening at home. Plus, the leftovers? Oh, they’re just as delicious the next day, if you can resist the temptation to finish everything in one sitting!

I hope you’re as excited to try this recipe as I am to share it with you! Whether you serve it with pasta, a light salad, or some warm, crusty bread, I’m sure it’ll be a hit. I’d absolutely love to hear how it turns out for you—did you add any of your own twists? Or maybe you’ve got a favorite side dish that pairs perfectly with this creamy goodness. Drop me a comment, ask any questions, or share your thoughts if you try this recipe. And as always, I’m here if you need a little help in the kitchen!

Happy cooking!

Print Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

Author: Daniel Carter Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 25 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 40 mins

Calories: 550

Description

Tender chicken smothered in a rich, velvety pesto cream sauce, paired with sweet, caramelized roasted tomatoes. Every bite bursts with fresh basil, garlic, and parmesan, creating a savory symphony of flavors that’s both comforting and vibrant.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ¹⁄₂ cup pesto sauce

• ¹⁄₄ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon salt

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Drizzle the tomatoes with one tablespoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
4. Sprinkle with a quarter teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper.
5. Toss the tomatoes gently to coat them evenly.
6. Roast the tomatoes in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until they begin to burst and soften.
7. While the tomatoes are roasting, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
8. Season the chicken breasts with one teaspoon of garlic powder, one teaspoon of onion powder, a half teaspoon of salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper.
9. Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and golden brown on the outside.
10. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.
11. In the same skillet, add one cup of heavy cream and stir to combine with any browned bits left from the chicken.
12. Bring the cream to a simmer over medium heat.
13. Add half a cup of pesto sauce and stir to combine.
14. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
15. Stir in a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
16. Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips and return them to the skillet with the creamy pesto sauce.
17. Toss the chicken in the sauce to coat it well.
18. Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven and gently stir them into the chicken and sauce mixture.
19. Tear one tablespoon of fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces and sprinkle them over the top of the dish.
20. Serve the creamy pesto chicken with roasted tomatoes hot, garnished with more fresh basil if desired.

Note

• For extra flavor, try marinating the chicken in pesto sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
• To reduce the richness of the dish, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the creamy pesto sauce.
• For a slightly smoky flavor, try roasting the tomatoes with a pinch of smoked paprika.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Keywords: creamy pesto chicken recipe, roasted tomatoes chicken dinner, pesto chicken with tomatoes, creamy chicken pesto pasta, easy pesto chicken recipe