Cheesy Pesto Chicken is a dish with tender chicken, cream cheese, fresh spinach, and pesto, all topped and baked with mozzarella cheese. It is a delicious, one-dish recipe that can be on the table in about 30 minutes! If you love pesto, I also have a Pesto Chicken Slow Cooker Pasta you may want to try!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: Slice two boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thinner cutlets for quicker cooking. You could also use chicken thighs, but you may need to adjust the cooking time. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese soften to room temperature before mixing with pesto and spinach. This takes up to an hour.
How To Soften Cream Cheese Quickly
If you forgot to take out the block of cream cheese, you can soften it quickly in a couple of different ways:
- Warm Water Method: Place the wrapped block of cream cheese in a bowl of warm water for about 10-15 minutes. Flip it over every few minutes or so.
- Microwave Method: Remove the cream cheese from its packaging and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it on low power in 15-20-second intervals until it reaches the desired softness. Be careful not to overheat it, as cream cheese can quickly become too runny or even melt.
Pesto: If you love pesto, you will love this recipe. There is a generous amount for plenty of pesto flavor in each bite. Homemade or store-bought pesto would work.
Spinach: Fresh spinach is best, but you could use frozen spinach instead. If using frozen spinach, thaw it and drain before adding it to the cream cheese mixture. You will need about a cup of frozen spinach.
Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese melts to a golden, cheesy topping when the dish is baked. You could also try this with parmesan, Gruyere, provolone, or your favorite kind of cheese.
Can I Assemble This Ahead Of Time?
Sure! Assembling the pesto chicken casserole ahead of time can be a real time-saver. After following the assembly steps in the recipe, cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can then refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. If baking the casserole straight from the refrigerator, it might require a few extra minutes to cook through. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time, but make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
What To Serve With Pesto Chicken
Here are some suggested sides you could pair with this rich and hearty dish:
- Pasta (like spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine)
- White or brown rice
- Roasted vegetables like green beans, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts
- Wedge salad
- Easy dinner rolls
- Garlic breadsticks
- Mashed potatoes (or Cauliflower mashed)
How To Store Pesto Chicken
To store pesto chicken casserole, first, let it cool to room temperature. Next, store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat the chicken in the microwave or oven.
Cheesy Pesto Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half vertically for a total of 4 cutlet pieces
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 jar (6.5 ounces) pesto
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Evenly season all sides of the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Place them in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, pesto, and spinach until well combined. Evenly spread over the chicken.
- Top with mozzarella.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is golden. (Cooking times may vary, depending on the size of each piece of chicken.)
- Garnish with parsley. Serve.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
Pesto fans, this one is for you! Juicy chicken, with each bite coated in pesto, you can make your own or just use a jar from the store for an easy meal!
Elizabeth
This is so easy to put together and so flavorful. You do need to like pesto (which I love) to like this dish, I think. There is a strong pesto flavor in each bite.
Bella
I love pesto so this was really delicious for me! This is such a lovely meal. It is very creamy and flavorful! It is also very fulfilling especially because of the juicy, tender chicken!
Selena
This is so delicious! I adore pesto so this is a win win for me. Super easy to throw together as well for a quick dinner.
Annabelle
This dish is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for anyone who loves pesto! I could eat this daily, and I'm sure you'll love it as well!
