Go Back

Keto Creamy Pesto Chicken

A flavorful and healthy dish perfect for ketogenic diets, combining chicken with creamy pesto sauce and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Seasoning
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for searing the chicken
Pesto Sauce
  • 0.5 cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought
  • 0.75 cup heavy cream
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for drizzling on tomatoes
  • 0.25 teaspoon sea salt for seasoning the tomatoes
  • 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper for seasoning the tomatoes
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
  2. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with 0.25 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of pepper. Roast for 15-18 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
  3. While the tomatoes are roasting, season the chicken breasts with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.5 teaspoon of pepper.
Cooking
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken to a plate.
  2. Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add 0.5 cup of pesto and 0.75 cup of heavy cream. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Add 0.25 cup of Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
  4. Return the chicken to the pan, coating it with the sauce. Cover and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serving
  1. Top the chicken with the roasted tomatoes and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Notes

If you want more vegetables, add spinach or zucchini to the dish while simmering. Use homemade pesto for a fresher taste, or choose a store-bought brand that has no added sugar. To make the dish spicier, add red pepper flakes to the sauce while simmering.