Basil Pesto Tomato Mozzarella Chicken Bake Recipe
A flavorful and easy-to-make Basil Pesto Tomato Mozzarella Chicken Bake featuring tender chicken breasts topped with fresh basil pesto, juicy tomato slices, and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Toppings
- ½ cup basil pesto
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a medium-sized casserole pan and sprinkle them with salt evenly to season the meat.
- Add Garlic: Evenly distribute the minced garlic over the salted chicken breasts to infuse flavor.
- Apply Basil Pesto: Spread the basil pesto evenly on top of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage for a rich taste.
- Add Tomato Slices: Layer the sliced tomatoes over the pesto-covered chicken breasts to add freshness and moisture.
- Top with Mozzarella: Place thick slices of fresh mozzarella cheese on top of the tomato slices for a creamy, melted topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F for 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: When serving, top each chicken breast with freshly chopped basil and an extra slice of tomato. Pour the flavorful pan juices over pasta or rice to enhance your meal.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Use fresh basil pesto for the best flavor; store-bought works well in a pinch.
- Adjust salt amount based on the saltiness of the pesto.
- Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer; internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Leftover pan juices make an excellent sauce for side dishes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: basil pesto, chicken bake, mozzarella, tomato, Italian chicken recipe, baked chicken, easy dinner
