Creamy Pesto Chicken – Create a restaurant-style meal at home with this flavor-packed, creamless Creamy Pesto Chicken dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes!
Hi Hi Hello! Happy Monday…??? Already?!? Where’s that in between Sunday-and-Monday day where I actually DO get to experience a weekend day? *All the ladies are nodding their heads*
My grandma used to say, “Don’t wish for that! One day it will come where you won’t have any kids to wash for or cook for … you will be sad, and you’ll be wishing for the old days to come back…” Ugh. That’s a scary thought, eh? NOT what we should be thinking about on a Monday! BUT it’s a good reminder for all of us.
Er. Let’s talk food!
Sometimes I just want simple winner-winner-chicken-dinner food. This was one of those times.
Lately, my workflow has evolved to meet the demands of this simple-food life, and I ain’t complainin’. Know why?
Because, this pesto chicken… she knows us. She knows how we do. She is packing in all the flavors of a creamy pesto sauce, but without the cream.
And. What’s more important to us all? That’s right. She makes it to us in just ONE PAN and in 30 MINUTES.
Raise your hand if you love this kinda foooood!! Of course you do! Why else would you be here??
What you’re looking at is a meal made with just 6-ish ingredients. Salt & Pep not included in the count.
We are talking chicken breasts, basil pesto, evaporated milk, flour, garlic, and cherry tomatoes. Spaghetti, too, if you’re the pasta kind. My husband is, so that photo down there was his dinner. I’m more of a chicken and a salad type-a-girl.
I am going to need you to just rub that chicken with pesto and brown it on the stovetop… then, you’ll whip up an evaporated milk flavor-bomb concoction, add it to the pan with the tomatoes, bring it to a boil, and boom. That’s it. Nothing more to it. Your tummy will thank you.
ENJOY!
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TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE
WATCH HOW TO MAKE CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN
Creamy Pesto Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless , skinless chicken breasts
- salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 tablespoon basil pesto
- 1 cup fat free evaporated milk
- salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
- freshly shaved parmesan , for garnish, optional
- fresh basil ribbons , for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, and rub chicken with the basil pesto.
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet.
- Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly cooked.
- In the meantime, prepare the sauce by combining flour, garlic, basil pesto, evaporated milk, salt, and pepper in a mixing cup or bowl; whisk until thoroughly combined and set aside.
- Remove chicken from skillet.
- Return skillet to heat and stir in the tomatoes. If pan is dry, add a little more olive oil.
- Cook the tomatoes over medium-high heat for about 1 minute, or until just beginning to soften
- Add the prepared sauce to the skillet and bring to a boil.
- Place the chicken back in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through.
- Remove from heat.
- Garnish with cheese and basil ribbons.
- Serve with pasta, rice, and/or salad.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
This turned out so yummy…and it was so easy to make! I served it with fresh green beans steamed in chicken broth and chopped garlic!
Wow delicious! I swapped whipping cream for the evaporated milk (that’s what I had on hand) so yummy!
Love this! Easy to put together after work…yummy & healthy. Than you so much for sharing 🥰
I absolutely love this recipe. It’s great for entertaining if having a family with kids. I double the recipe using a Costco or Family Pack of chicken. When doubling recipe, I use 1 can (348ml) of evaporated milk and top up to 2 cups using whatever milk I have in fridge (ususally 1% or2%).
Absolutely delicious and easy to make. We loved it, added the parmesan cheese while cooking the sauce at the end and it was perfect. Served over linguini. Will be making this again.
Hello!! I am very excited to make this. Are there any changes to the cooking process to make in an air fryer?
Thank you!
This was tasty and easy to make. It’s a great weeknight dinner because it requires very little prep and is simple to cook. I only had chicken tenderloins and they cooked up just right. I used low fat evaporated milk rather than fat free and I think that made the sauce a bit thicker. Next time I’ll use the fat free as I’d like a thinner sauce.
Thank YOU! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Excellent dish might add asparagus instead of the tomatoes. Still scrumptious either way
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
WOW! This recipe is fantastic! I’m the chef in the family. I’m always trying to make new things. I searched for a low-carb, high protein dinner option and came across this one. Very few ingredients needed and came out nice! My wife loved it.
That’s wonderful! I’m very glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for chiming in! 🙂
Had this tonight and both husband and I loved it! Probably won’t even have pasta next time. Super yum!
I’m very glad you and your husband enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This recipe is delicious, healthy and very easy to make! It is perfect for meal prepping lunches for work or for a quick and yummy dinner. Thank you for this recipe!
I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Loved your recipe Katerina !! Simple and delicious ..
Hi, when it says 299 calories, is that for the total dish or per serving?
Hi,
That’s 299 calories per serving. So around 5 to 6 ounces, total. Chicken is going to be about 4 ounces of that.
I made this dish last night as is when my brother came for dinner. He , my husband and myself simply loved it so much that I invited friends over for dinner tonight and guess what I am making???? Yep, your fam dish. Thank you for the most delicious chicken dish. Last week I made it with mash, this evening with linguini. Licking my lips already.
That’s so great to hear! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I made this with fresh basil from my garden…didnt have some olive oil nor pine nuts…so chick peas and veg oil and canned tomatoes and 2% milk…mixed linguine noodles in sauce…
Which recipe did you make??
Hey there I wanted to try this delicious looking recipe. I have a question I only have regular evaporated milk. Can I use more than the recipe calls for or do I use chicken broth to stretch for a little more sauce? Thank you
Hi!
For a creamier consistency, you can definitely use more milk, but if you’re looking for a thinner consistency, go with the chicken broth.
Is there enough sauce to dress the spaghetti noodles I’ll serve with the chicken, or do the noodles need some love before adding the chicken?
Hi! 👋
For me personally, the sauce is enough, but if you like to add more, I would say to measure out 1-1/2 cups evaporated milk instead of just 1 cup.
can you use heavy cream with this dish?
Hi!
Yes, absolutely, but make sure to whisk it into the skillet, and continue to whisk while it cooks so that the heavy cream doesn’t curdle.
Just finished eating this delicious meal…I did have to modify it and used 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup milk…both were full fat.
I par boiled baby potatoes which I added to the sauce, chicken and tomatoes….I served it with steamed broccoli.
I actually prepped everything yesterday and cooked it tonight.
Definitely will make it again and again
I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Incredible recipe!!! Made as is! Served over pasta and broccoli in one dish and was pleased!!!! Added red pepper flake to adults dishes but kids gobbled it up! Thank u!!!
Thank YOU! I am very happy you and your family enjoyed it! 🙂
Made this last night it was a hit didn’t have evaporated milk so I used a combo of half and half , water and whole milk with the flour and it came out delish I’m so glad I discovered this recipe it’s a keeper next time I will try it will the evop
I am very happy you enjoyed it!! Thank YOU! 🙂
I’m making this for a group of 10 tonight. Do you think I could make it a bit ahead of time and place in the crock pot to keep warm to free up space on my stove for the pasta? Looks delicious!!
Hi! Yep, that will totally work. Enjoy dinner! 😃
I made this for tonight’s dinner with a few modifications. I grilled the chicken then cut it up to add to the sauce. I also used a can of fire roasted tomatoes because I had it on hand and used 2 ounces of cream cheese instead of flour to lower the carbs even more. We ate it over zoodles and it was delicious. Even the hubby who isn’t a big pesto fan liked it. I will definitely make it again and maybe even add bacon…because bacon.
not only was this super tasty, quite healthy, and the whole family ate it (little kids, big kids, hubby), but I was able to prepare it in very little time WHICH is a 5-star meal, IMO. I don’t like thin sauce and I was worried when I saw there was no cream, but this did not disappoint!
This was so quick and easy, and yet so tasty! I didn’t have any evaporated milk but whole milk worked just as well and the sauce was rich and creamy! Looking forward to the leftovers tomorrow…great recipe. Thank you!
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
YUM!!! I love this delicious version!!!
This look beyond delicious! I thought those flavors on this dish are amazing, need to put it on our menu!
Amazing I love finding new ways of cooking chicken! Pesto is incredible! Will be trying this soon!!
This recipe looks bursting with flavor !!
Love when a delicious meal only takes 30 minutes to come together!
Loved it! We served it over pasta for my little ones with a side salad and they devoured it. Thank you so much for such an easy meal with tons of flavor.
Excellent recipe!!! My husband and I both loved it!!!
This was a bit my house with the kids as well! Thank you. This is a keeper!
Made this tonight and the kiddos even loved it. I used whole milk because that is what we had and added fresh spinach with the tomatoes. Delicious. I’ll definitely make this again. It looked so fancy served with rotini and steamed French green beans
Glad to hear that!! I love this chicken recipe, too. Can’t believe something so easy and quick can taste so good! 😀
I made this for dinner last night and used mushrooms instead of tomatoes as I am not a tomato fan. It was AMAZING and under the new Weight Watchers FreeStyle plan it is only 5 points.
I am making this fabulous looking dish for dinner this evening. How many WW smart points is it per serving?
Hi!
This recipe is 7 Freestyle points per serving and the meal is 4 servings, total.
I am going to make this fabulous looking recipe for dinner. How many WW smarts points is it per serving?
I love pesto. This dish hits the mark where I get to combine it with other flavours and actually enjoy it! I’ve made it twice in a week now, it’s easy, quick and delicious! However, used 1.5 fat regular milk as no evaporated in stock, used store bought pesto, added sliced mushrooms and, the 2 nd time around cashews!!
Hi! I am new to WW and your recipe sounds delicious! I will try it! I am looking forward to getting creative with cooking. I hear about 2 ingredient bagels but I don’t see anything on my WW app. Looking forward to following you and being inspired.
I have made this several times—it is delicious, quick, and easy! When I first found this recipe I was trying to find a use for some fresh basil I received, That was fabulous, but even using store bought pesto makes a yummy dinner. It’s the reason I keep evaporated milk in the pantry now.
Made this last night. Yum!!! It’s Definitely going into our monthly menu!
Thank you for this!
What can I substitute for the evaporated milk? Whole milk?
Hi! Half & Half would be your best choice.
Yes I like to know the same thing please!!!!?
You can use half & half, heavy cream, even whole milk.
This was devoured in one night. Little do they suspect it’s healthy. I air fried the chicken rather than fry in oil. I added a pack of frozen chopped spinach and doubled the sauce to put over pasta. I upped the pesto and garlic in the sauce to my taste, hey no such thing as too much garlic. Topped with some low fat mozzarella and poof gone. I been on Weight Watchers plan for 22 months. Loving it and can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Just made this for le girlfriend tonight and we both absolutely loved it. I also ended up sauteing a bunch of mushrooms with it and it turned out really well. Creamy and full of flavor! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi! May I ask if how many people can eat this delicious meal? ☺️ Thank you
Excellent and super easy.
I skipped the cherry tomatoes (my daughter does not like tomatoes) and used 1% regular milk.
This dish looks great! Please guide me about the basil pesto. Is it readymade or could you please give me a recipe to make it. I made the pineapple barbecue chicken, it was soooo easy and delicious! I’m looking for a recipe to make garlic butter chicken
I made this for dinner last night and it was amazing! The flavors are so good and the best part is it is made with no cream! I doubled the sauce because I wanted to make sure I had enough to use as sauce for the pasta I served with it. Super easy and definitely packed with flavor. Thank you Katerina!
YAY Lisa!! SO happy you enjoyed it!! THANK YOU! :)))
Teamed it with roasted potatoes and pumpkin and steamed greens- wow great easy dinner and full of flavour
Oh my gosh, that sounds fantastic!!
Can this be made with almond milk?
Hi Sue! You can make it with almond milk, but it won’t be creamy. You would need to add a thickener, like flour or cornstarch, to thicken it.
great recipe, pesto goes a long way with low cost calorie flavor! same with parmesan cheese, at least for me! Thank you for this!
This looks so tasty. It’s getting me hungry for dinner!
This looks delicious! What can I use if I don’t have evaporated milk? Half and half?
Hi Lina! Yes, half and half will work. 🙂
This dinner looks incredible. I am wishing we were neighbors so I could have knocked on your door for a taste.
Pesto is one of my favorites! I’m adding this to my menu this week!
I would love to have this for dinner!
This looks great. I just bought some cherry tomatoes at the store. I think I will be making this.
If this tastes half as good as it looks I will be a happy girl! My low carb family members could easily make a meal without the pasta! Winning!
This seriously looks like the perfect dinner. What a tasty sounding meal!
Pesto makes everything good! I love that you added evaporated milk to this. It’s an interesting touch!
Hi !
You talk about salads on the recipe. Can you just advise me a good salad variety to eat with that yummy dish?
Regards,
Killian.
HI! I hope you like kale because I made a small side salad of this AVOCADO AND FETA KALE SALAD https://diethood.com/avocado-and-feta-kale-salad-with-garlic-dijon-vinaigrette/ to go with it! 😀 It was so good!
Hi I was wondering if you could bake the chicken with all the ingredients to the sauce together.if so what temp should I put it on?I also have 2 packs of thin chicken breasts to feed more people.so I was thinking about doubling the sauce for it because I’m making the cherry tomatoes with fresh spinach as well.
Looks sooo good! We’ve got a bunch of pesto in the freezer we need to use before the basil explodes again. This is our kind of meal and the perfect way to us that pesto!
This recipe looks so good! I am wondering about the evaporated milk? Is that to thicken the sauce?
Hi Dawn! Yep, it’s for a creamier sauce.
seriously, drooling right now and I haven’t even had my coffee yet