Name: Easy Pesto Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breast (4 thin breast); 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon butter; 1/3 cup white wine (or chicken broth); 3/4 cup pesto; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 cup small tomatoes (optional: see notes below); 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

This Easy Pesto Chicken has just 2.5 net carbs per serving, making it a low carb, keto-friendly dinner that is impressive enough for guests!

Many years ago I ordered a dish at a restaurant that featured perfectly seasoned chicken breast, seared until golden brown and served with a creamy pesto sauce. It was such a simple combination of flavors, that I found incredibly satisfying. This Easy Pesto Chicken is my homemade version of that beloved dish. It is easy enough to make on a weeknight, but impressive enough to make for guests!

Ingredients Needed For Pesto Chicken

Chicken
Spices: Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper
Butter
Pesto
Heavy Cream
Parmesan
White wine or Chicken broth
Optional: Mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, fresh herbs for finishing touches

How do you make Pesto Chicken?

Sprinkle each side of the chicken breast with the seasonings.
Melt the butter in a skillet over the medium heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add the white wine, pesto, heavy cream and parmesan, stir well until a creamy pesto sauce forms.
Combine the chicken and the pesto cream sauce in an oven proof skillet or casserole dish. Top the chicken with shredded mozzarella cheese and add tomato slices if desired. Bake for 20 minutes.

How many carbs are in Pesto Chicken?

This recipe serves 4 and comes to about 2.5 net carbs per serving without the tomatoes. I consider the tomatoes optional because the dish is fantastic with, or without them. However, if you want to add 1 cup of tomatoes to the dish the carbs increase to 4.4 net carbs.

How to make Pesto Chicken Pasta?

While I do not usually serve this with pasta because I generally stick to low carb, but Pesto Chicken Pasta is a super popular dish! You can easily make Pesto Chicken Pasta by following the recipe exactly and tossing the sauce with your favorite pasta. Just be sure to cook your pasta until just al dente for the perfect flavor and texture.

What to serve with Pesto Chicken?

If you are looking for low carb side dishes you have to make these amazing Cheddar Garlic Keto Biscuits! They are a perfect low carb Red Lobster Biscuit copycat! Each cheesy biscuit has 2 net carbs each and loaded with flavor! These pair perfectly with this Pesto Chicken.

Some other amazing side dish options include low carb salads, and casseroles:

Alternatively, if you aren’t concerned with carbs these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are the perfect side dish! This dish only requires 7 minutes of cooking time and no draining, making it a quick and easy comfort food.

Other Easy Dinner Recipes

One pan recipes have always been my favorite. I have a ton of easy one pan keto recipes you will love. One of my favorites is this One Pan Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet, it has less than 4 net carbs and is done in under 30 minutes. Another one I love is this Cheesy Sausage and Cabbage Skillet. It is the perfect comfort food and great for busy nights. Some other favorites are: