Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach is a quick and flavorful skillet dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with a vibrant pesto cream sauce, roasted cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Ready in just 25 minutes, this comforting meal is perfect served over rice or pasta for a delicious, hearty dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 5 or 6 thinly sliced chicken breasts, butterflied, sliced in half, or into tenders
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Onion powder, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped, stems removed
Sauce
- 1/4 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup chicken stock, lightly salted
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin pieces and season them evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken slices and cook until they are lightly browned on the outside and nearly cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic, finely chopped shallot, halved cherry tomatoes, and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté until the tomatoes soften and the shallots become translucent. Then add the chopped spinach, pesto, heavy cream, and chicken stock. Stir to combine all ingredients and allow the sauce to simmer gently so the flavors meld together.
- Finish Dish: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the sauce. Continue simmering until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve hot over cooked rice or pasta for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Use homemade pesto for a fresher flavor, or store-bought for convenience.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes quantity or omit for less heat.
- This dish pairs well with rice, pasta, or even crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
