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.
Aldi had cheap boneless skinless chicken thighs this past week so I stocked up. On Saturday I made the “man pleasing chicken” from your Friday favorites and that was pretty darn good. I was excited when I saw you had chicken thighs up yesterday too. I made this last night and my husband said this was even better than the man pleasing chicken and I can make it every day for him. I think he liked it lol! The pesto was a tasty addition.
I have been on a pesto kick lately, thanks for another easy and delicious meal! The pedi, drinks and dinner is my favorite thing to do for girlfriend dates, but never do it enough either! Have a great week!
This looks so amazing…and simple too. I can’t wait to give this a try. Your little guy is such a cutie. My daughter (10 months) is going through the yelling for no reason thing too. It’s cute at home but not so fun when we go out. :)
Hi. I’ve been following your blog for a little while now and have been really enjoying it. Love this recipe. So easy and so few ingredients, perfect for a quick (and very tasty) dinner. I don’t use chicken thighs much but I have some in the freezer at the moment so perfect opportunity to bring those out. Thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE La Mie. Probably one of my favorite places ever. I feel like there is a serious void in my life since leaving Des Moines. I actually made a version of their Veggie Scramble recipe over on my blog. Next time you’re in, try the tuna sandwich or the breakfast tartine. Two of my other favs.
Sounds and looks so yummy!! I’ll have to use breasts because thighs are dark meat and I just KNOW it will taste, well, dark! I know I am weird, but I’m convinced that dark meat tastes funky (I don’t like steak either!). Your little man is so adorable!!!
I had to laugh when I read your comment “Definitely not a creepy dark meat flavor” as that is what I always think of when I hear chicken thigh. Because I know I can trust your recommendations, I am going to try this recipe with thighs and not chicken breasts as I would usually do.
I really appreciate how you help novice cooks like myself become confident in the kitchen. I made your Creamy Chicken Pasta last week, which was a hit with my daughter. Thank you so much! Plus your Lincoln is adorable!
I absolutely love your blog and recipes. Your little fellow and his pictures/stories send your site over the top. You’re right…the love the screams, you’ll cherish the memories even if they’re screams. One question, I love your cream fleece jacket. Do you mind if I ask the brand…would love to get one. Thanks!
Old Navy a few years ago, but I feel like they usually have something that looks pretty similar!
I totally remember the “scream just to hear myself scream” with my kids. I’m with you, it’s adorable but I understand if others don’t quite think so. My sister has 2 month old twins so I can’t wait to see them when they get to that stage!
Amazing recipe. Chicken thighs FTW!! Simple, delicious-looking recipe. And is there anything better than melted fresh mozzarella on pretty much anything!!
This looks absolutely amazing! I love how simple and *quick* it is! Just what I need when I’ve had a busy day at work. Thanks for sharing!
What an amazing, quick, and easy meal!!
This reminds me of your bruschetta chicken, which was a slam dunk, so I’m totally making this asap!
I was just wondering if you might share what veggies are inside that scramble – it looks amazing! Trying the pesto chicken for a quick dinner tomorrow – can’t wait to try it!
Sure! It had sweet potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, red onion, and broccoli, with the avocado on top. :)
It looks delish! I am anxious to try your recipe. Just curious as to what brand of marinara sauce that you used? I absolutely love Olive Garden’s marinara but I cannot find a store brand that I like as well! Just wondering what you used? Thanks! I am in North Alabama so you probably do not have the same grocery stores that we have here.
I used a local sauce (Ginos) but Giada DiLaurentiis’ sauce is really good too!
Kristin, I just wanted to let you know that I prepared this dish last night for dinner and my husband and I both loved it! Super easy and super tasty! Keep those easy recipes coming for us working wives and mothers!