Keto Creamy Pesto Chicken (Printer View)

Tender chicken breasts in creamy pesto sauce with roasted cherry tomatoes for a flavorful, low-carb meal.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Creamy Pesto Sauce

05 - 1/2 cup basil pesto
06 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Roasted Tomatoes

08 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (approximately 12 oz)
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh basil leaves
13 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# Method steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange halved cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 15-18 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized.
02 - While tomatoes roast, season chicken breasts evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper on both sides.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, combine pesto and heavy cream, stirring continuously. Bring to a gentle simmer, add Parmesan cheese, and stir until melted and sauce reaches creamy consistency.
05 - Return seared chicken to skillet, coat thoroughly with pesto sauce. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Transfer chicken to serving plates, top with roasted tomatoes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Keto-friendly and low-carb - With only 7g carbs per serving, it fits perfectly into a ketogenic lifestyle
  • Quick preparation - Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish
  • Simple ingredients - Uses easy-to-find items you might already have on hand
  • Impressive presentation - Looks like a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort
  • Versatile - Easily pairs with different low-carb sides for a complete meal
02 -
  • Temperature matters - Bring the chicken to room temperature before cooking for more even searing
  • Don't overcrowd - If your skillet is small, cook the chicken in batches to ensure proper browning
  • Sauce thickness - If your sauce is too thick, thin it with a tablespoon of chicken broth; if too thin, simmer a bit longer
  • Make ahead - Roast the tomatoes up to a day in advance and reheat them briefly before serving
  • Leftovers - This dish reheats beautifully for lunch the next day, just warm gently to prevent the sauce from separating
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