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.
This is such a nice recipe My kids would love it!
Thanks for share yummy recipe.
I’m so happy this recipe was in my Facebook feed today because I was having a hard time thinking of what to make for dinner. I served it with a side of potatoes & broccoli. My family loved it & even my picky kid asked for more & to make it again. Thank you!
This was SO EASY and SO YUMMY! I’ve been raving about this. Thanking for sharing this it is going to be one of my go to favorites! A 5 out of 5 stars. ?
I’m so glad to hear it, Mary! Thanks for your feedback!
Madness this tonight’s. Delicious!!! I didn’t have mozzarella so I used Parmesan cheese. My husband doesn’t want me to change a thing!
From one Iowa girl to another…..thanks for such a simple recipe for Parmesan chicken. I can’t wait to try it out!
May I ask why there is the word Parmesan in this title, when there is no Parmesan in the recipe?
My family loves this recipe!! Thank you so much <3
Great combination of flavors but it did come out very soupy. I would bake the thighs with a thin smear of pesto first until crispy then add the sauce and cheese for the last 10 minutes. Thanks for sharing!
Even though this is an older recipe, just thought I’d let you know that this is in my dinner rotation! I’m an attorney-mom with exactly 45 minutes from the minute I get in the door after work until bedtime for my little one. This recipe is a life saver and is so, so good!
SO glad to hear, Stephanie!! Love that it’s a staple for you and the kids! :)
Used my garden tomatoes to make a homemade marinara for this recipe and served it over pasta. My teenage daughter said “This tastes like something you’d order in a restaurant”. Delicious.
Awesome!! Thanks so much for the great feedback, Sue! :)
Made this tonight for dinner. So easy and delicious. Highly recommended!
Just made these last night and I thought my husband was going to lick his plate. Very, very good. I put extra pesto and marinara sauce on the thighs (yes, I used thighs, and they were the perfect choice!), and it made a yummy sauce. My whole house smelled amazing and I can’t wait to make this again!!! :)