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Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken with Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes

crispy baked pesto chicken - featured image
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A quick and easy baked chicken recipe featuring crispy skin, flavorful pesto, melty mozzarella, and roasted cherry tomatoes for a cozy, satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (balls or sliced)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (about 150 grams), halved
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
  • Parmesan cheese for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
  3. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Spread about 2 tablespoons of pesto evenly over the top side of each chicken breast.
  5. Place chicken breasts skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. In a mixing bowl, toss halved cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  7. Scatter the tomatoes around the chicken breasts on the baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes to cook the chicken most of the way through and soften the tomatoes.
  9. Remove the pan from the oven and spoon slices or chunks of fresh mozzarella over each chicken breast.
  10. Return to the oven and bake for another 7–10 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  11. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes to crisp the edges, watching closely to prevent burning.
  12. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for crispiness. Use skin-on chicken for best results. Add mozzarella later in baking to prevent it from becoming watery. Rest chicken before serving to keep it juicy. Optional broiling crisps edges quickly—watch carefully. For dairy-free, substitute mozzarella with plant-based cheese. For extra crunch, use gluten-free breadcrumbs under pesto.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken, pesto chicken, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, easy dinner, crispy chicken, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-baked-pesto-chicken-with-mozzarella-and-cherry-tomatoes-recipe-for-easy-dinner/