This Baked Pesto Chicken is a one-pan, quick, easy dinner that will elevate your weeknight routine. Combining tender, juicy chicken breasts with an herbaceous basil pesto, fresh tangy tomatoes, topped under a bed of melty mozzarella for a simple meal that is full of fresh flavors.

This pesto chicken bake expands simple ingredients into a flavorful, family-friendly dinner with almost no preparation.

A plate of pasta topped with baked chicken pesto with tomatoes.

This easy pesto chicken bake turns simple ingredients into a flavorful, family-friendly dinner with almost no prep.

If you love easy chicken dinners like this one, you might also enjoy slow cooker chicken birria tacos, chicken Caesar pasta salad, or Mexican chicken salad.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients with text overlay for chicken breasts baked in the oven.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless thighs can be used. If using chicken thighs, the chicken may take slightly longer to finish baking. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check that the temperature of the baked thighs reaches 165°F
Italian seasoning is my seasoning of choice. Basil is also an option.
Homemade Nut-free basil pesto is my first choice. Any store-bought brand will work too. Change it up; use Kale Pesto.
Tomato slices top the chicken. Vine-ripe or Roma are my personal preference as they hold up well to baking. No tomatoes? Use roasted peppers .
Fresh Mozzarella cheese is my personal choice for the best flavor. Provolone cheese is also a tasty option.

How to Make Baked Pesto Chicken

This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Italian seasoning on chicken breasts for pesto chicken bake.

Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with the Italian seasoning. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.

Pesto being brushed on chicken for a pesto chicken bake.

Brush or spread the basil pesto over the top of each chicken breast until fully coated.

A baking dish with chicken topped with pesto and a slice of tomatoes to make the step by step pesto chicken bake.

Place one tomato slice in the center of each piece of chicken. Bake for 25 minutes.

Baked pesto chicken with mozzarella and tomatoes in a baking pan.

Top the tomato with a slice of fresh mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Juicy baked chicken with pesto and cheese in a baking dish.

For a more golden top, broil very briefly for about 6 to 10 seconds. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Spaghetti topped with a pesto baked chicken with fresh mozzarella.

Eileen's Tips for the Best Chicken Pesto Bake

Use chicken breasts that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to keep the chicken juicy.
If the basil pesto begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil.
Broil only for a few seconds and watch it closely since the cheese can brown very quickly.
Do not skip the resting time after baking because it helps the juices settle back into the chicken.

Chicken topped with tomatoes, basil pesto, and fresh mozzarella over spaghetti.

What to serve with Baked Chicken Pesto

This delicious baked chicken goes well with a simple pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti.
You can also serve with a side of crusty French Bread or soft yeast rolls.
Instant Pot Rice or garlic butter rice
For a low-carb option, zucchini noodles.
A fresh arugula salad

More Chicken Breast recipes

We have more easy chicken breast recipes to enjoy.

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If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

📖 Recipe

A baking dish with chicken topped with tomatoes, pesto, and fresh mozzarella.

Eileen Kelly

Pesto Chicken Bake

Easy baked pesto chicken made with juicy chicken breasts, basil pesto, fresh tomatoes, and melty mozzarella. A quick one-pan dinner ready in 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 33

rest time 5

Total Time 48

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 526

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition

Equipment

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

▢ 4(6) ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts
▢ 1 ½ Tablespoons Italian seasoning
▢ ¼ cup basil pesto Note 1
▢ 4 slices tomatoes
▢ 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
▢ 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Spray the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Set aside.
Sprinkle both sides of 4(6) ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 ½ Tablespoons Italian seasoning, and place in the prepared baking dish.
Using a silicone pastry brush, put ¼ cup basil pesto over the top of each chicken breast until fully coated.
Add 1 of the 4 slices tomatoes to the center of each chicken breast.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, add one of the 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese on top of each tomato.
Return to the oven for an additional 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. If you prefer a more golden topping, broil for about 6 to 10 seconds. The internal temperature of the cooked chicken should be 165°F/74°C. (Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature)
Remove from heat and cover with foil. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. Great over pasta, orzo, gnocchi, or as a hero sandwich.

Do not skip the resting time after baking because it helps the juices settle back into the chicken.

Note 1: I use my nut-free basil pesto. Any pesto can be used for this recipe.

Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Make ahead - You can season the chicken and add the pesto a few hours ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake, then add the tomato right before baking.

Freezing - Freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. For best texture, add fresh mozzarella after reheating if possible.

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I'm not a registered dietitian, but I strive to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 526kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 77gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 232mgSodium: 703mgPotassium: 1315mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 859IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 217mgIron: 2mg

Nutritional values are estimates only. Please consult a professional for strict dietary needs.

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