Easy 4-Ingredient Keto Baked Chicken Pesto (Simple, Flavorful & Cheesy!)
Dinner just got easier and more delicious with this Easy 4-Ingredient Keto Baked Chicken Pesto! Tender chicken breasts are smothered in fragrant pesto, topped with gooey mozzarella cheese, and finished with fresh tomato slices, then baked to perfection. This incredibly simple, low-carb, high-protein, and naturally gluten-free meal is a delightful addition to your health journey!
Yields: 3-4 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25-35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 – 2 lbs total)
- 1 (6-ounce) jar pesto (KETO NOTE: Check ingredients for no added sugar or vegetable oils like soybean oil; ideally, olive oil based)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, part-skim recommended for better melting)
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Spoon or spatula
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven & Prep Chicken: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Add Pesto & Cheese: Spoon the pesto evenly over each chicken breast, ensuring they are well covered.
- Top each pesto-covered chicken breast generously with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Add Tomato & Bake: Arrange the sliced tomato over the cheesy chicken breasts.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C) and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Cooking time will vary significantly based on the thickness of your chicken breasts.
- Serve & Enjoy! Remove from the oven. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Enjoy this simple and flavorful baked chicken!
Tips for Success:
- Pesto Choice is Key for Keto: Many store-bought pestos contain added sugars or non-keto vegetable oils (like canola or soybean oil). Always check the ingredient list to ensure it’s a clean, low-carb option, ideally made with olive oil.
- Chicken Thickness: If your chicken breasts are very thick, you can pound them slightly to an even thickness (about 1 inch) for more uniform cooking.
- Don’t Overcook: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety. Overcooked chicken can be dry.
- Fresh Ingredients: While simple, the quality of your pesto and freshness of your tomato will significantly impact the final flavor.
- Serving Suggestion: This dish is fantastic on its own, or served alongside a simple green salad, steamed green beans, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:
This Keto Baked Chicken Pesto is a delicious addition to your health journey!
- High Protein: Yes, from the chicken and mozzarella cheese.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb, primarily featuring chicken, cheese, and low-carb pesto.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly, provided the pesto chosen is sugar-free and made with keto-compliant oils (like olive oil). All other ingredients are naturally suitable for a ketogenic diet.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.