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Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 61 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

This Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach is a quick and flavorful skillet dish combining tender chicken breasts with a rich pesto cream sauce, sautéed cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Perfect for a comforting yet healthy weeknight dinner, it offers a luscious combination of creamy, herby, and slightly tangy flavors with a touch of heat from optional red pepper flakes.

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasonings

  • 5 or 6 thinly sliced chicken breasts, butterflied or into tenders
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Garlic powder, to taste
  • Onion powder, to taste

Sauté and Sauce

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped, stems removed
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until lightly browned on the outside and nearly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  3. Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic, chopped shallot, cherry tomatoes, and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté until the tomatoes soften and shallots turn translucent. Then add the chopped spinach, pesto, heavy cream, and chicken stock. Stir everything together and allow the sauce to simmer gently so the flavors meld.
  4. Finish Dish: Return the chicken to the pan with the sauce and continue simmering until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly. Serve hot over cooked rice or pasta for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and choose a dairy-free pesto.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
  • Using homemade pesto gives a fresher flavor, but store-bought works well for convenience.
  • This dish pairs excellently with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/creamy-pesto-chicken-with-roasted-tomatoes-and-spinach-recipe/