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Creamy Red Pesto Chicken: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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This creamy red pesto chicken is a quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring tender chicken thighs in a rich, velvety sauce made with red pesto and cream. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that feels like a hug on a plate.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ½ cup (120g) red pesto
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • ¼ cup (60ml) chicken broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ medium onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion for about 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Let simmer for 1 minute. Stir in red pesto and heavy cream, whisking until smooth.
  5. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Simmer over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
  6. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the chicken and sauce, stirring gently to melt. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Don’t skip searing the chicken—it adds crucial flavor. If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer uncovered to thicken. For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use dairy-free Parmesan. This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy red pesto chicken, easy chicken dinner, 30-minute meal, red pesto recipe, chicken thighs, creamy pesto sauce, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/creamy-red-pesto-chicken-easy-30-minute-dinner/