Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan takes minutes to prep and just 30 minutes to bake. This comforting, flavorful chicken dinner is a winner!
Got a case of the Mondays, aka busy busy and no time to think nor prep ahead for dinner?
I’ve got you covered with Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan!
This simple yet flavor-packed chicken dinner requires just 4 ingredients, 5 minutes of prep work, and 30 minutes of baking time. It’s a busy weeknight dinner dream come true!
Cheesy Pesto Baked Chicken Thighs
Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan is boneless, skinless chicken thighs tossed in prepared pesto, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then baked. So unbelievably simple! Like I said, five minutes to prep then 30 minutes to bake.
If you need a quick and flavorful dinner idea – this is your recipe.
Start with trimmed, boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 8 thighs) seasoned on both sides with salt and pepper.
Boneless skinless thighs are not only less expensive than chicken breasts but they’re incredibly tender and juicy — especially when baked.
Place the seasoned thighs into the bottom of a 8×8 or 9×12 baking dish then add prepared pesto and turn to coat with your hands.
You can absolutely use your own fresh pesto though, in the spirit of keeping this meal extremely quick and easy, jarred pesto works great.
Next spread marinara sauce over the thighs then top with sliced fresh mozzarella. Shredded mozzarella is fine too.
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil then bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove the foil then cook for 10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through. That’s it…dinner is served!
You will adore how tender the chicken is, and how delicious each bite of pesto mixed with marinara and mozzarella cheese is. Pure, easy comfort food — enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 8
- salt and pepper
- 1/3 cup prepared pesto
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper then add to a 8x8" or 9x12" baking dish. Add pesto then use hands to evenly coat.
- Spoon marinara sauce over top of thighs followed by mozzarella cheese then cover tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil then bake for 10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Beautiful pictures, my mouth is watering. Thanks for the recipe.
I am also totally intimidated by chicken thighs but this looks AMAZING and I will definitely be trying it this week. Thank you so much for always making things so approachable!
I have never cooked chicken thighs before. Do they come with a bone in them, if so, what is the best way to remove? Do you have to do any special prep to get them ready? Do you have to ask the butcher anything special as far as prepping them? I am interested in using, but I am intimidated like you were.
You can buy chicken thighs with the bone in for soups/stews or cooking in the crock pot since the bones have a lot of flavor, but I bought boneless thighs so there’s literally nothing I had to do when I got home. They come pre-trimmed exactly as you see in the picture above. I took them right from the package to the baking dish!
I am obsessed with chicken thighs too! I started using them a few years ago bc they are a cheaper way to still be able to buy organic/high quality meat – plus their flavor is just sooooo much better – now I can barely use chicken breasts at all, they just seem so blahhh haha :/ As for this recipe, I have a jar of pesto waiting to be finished up and this just might be the way to do it. Sounds delicious!!
I am so making this!!! Look delightful and full of flavor. Lincoln is adorable. I doubt too many people would mind the “screaming” stage. :-) Soon it will be on to another discovery.
I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now, but I’ve never commented and I thought this dish deserves one! It looks amazing, and is definitely going on my meal plan for the week! As a newer cook, I’ve had great luck following your step-by-step recipes and I absolutely love your blog. :)
You had me at 30 minutes! Love this whole recipe! Will be on the list for sure this week! And Lincoln is just sooo cute!
Can’t wait to make this! It has been months since I have had pesto. Time to change that :)
Looks delish. I love chicken thighs as well but I hate that I feel like they need more cleaning (excess fat and other stuff) than breasts. I do love getting thighs and breasts and throwing a few of each in the crock pot and then mixing the meat together.
YES!!! I’ve been pesto-fying [so not a word!] everything in sight lately! This sounds/looks awesome =) Also I’m pretty sure all dishes should come with a half ‘cado on top. That’s just magical!
I’m with you on the chicken thighs. So. much. better. Unfortunately I can’t convince my husband. Ugh. Love the looks of this recipe–especially the prep and baking time! My kind of dinner. And I have to comment on Lincoln’s sock monkey pjs! Love. :)
Pesto, Chicken and Cheese…all in 30 minutes?
You are my new favorite person. ever.
Don’t tell my husband ;)
Yum…can’t wait to try those thighs!….and I love that Lincoln has a fleece like Momma