Pesto Chicken & Tomatoes
Pesto Chicken & Tomatoes is a high-protein bowl recipe ready in 20 min. It makes 4 servings, each 450 kcal with 38 g protein. Beginner level, 13 ingredients, and it keeps for work lunches.
Recipe by @sammymontgoms, adapted and measured by Cookpath.
- 20 min15 min hands-on
- Beginnerlevel
- 450kcal a serving
- 38 gprotein
What is Pesto Chicken & Tomatoes
Thin chicken breasts simmered in a pesto cream sauce with blistered cherry tomatoes and spinach, all in one pan.
- Bowls · Chicken
- Searing & grilling
- Sauces & dressings
- Work lunch
How to make Pesto Chicken & Tomatoes
Tips from the cook
- Chicken thighs work too; give them a little longer.
- Half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk can replace the cream; the sauce will be thinner.
- Add mushrooms or roasted red peppers with the tomatoes, or grate parmesan over at the end.
Step by step with timers, in your shopping list in one tap.
Meal prep and storage
Still good after 2 to 3 days in the fridge, cold or microwaved.
Keeps 3 days in the fridge. Reheat gently with a splash of stock or cream.
See this week’s meal prep plan on the blog, or plan your own week in the app.
Pesto Chicken & Tomatoes substitutions
Out of something, or cooking around an allergy. Each swap was checked against a source.
Shallot2 options
- White onion, finely diced 1:1 by volume (use slightly less)
Stronger; still allium.
- Leek or chives 1:1 by volume
Still allium.
Basil pesto2 options
- Pesto made with sunflower or pumpkin seeds and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan 1:1
Seeds can be cross-contaminated with nuts; loses parmesan saltiness.
- Basil blitzed with olive oil, garlic, lemon and salt (no nuts, no cheese) 1:1
Thinner.
Heavy cream2 options
- Oat cooking cream (GF-labelled) or soy cream 1:1
Does not whip.
Still contains soy.
- Coconut cream (top layer of can) 1:1
Coconut flavour.
Chicken stock3 options
- Vegetable stock (check the label for celery) 1:1 by volume
Less poultry flavour; the page notes vegetable broth usually has celery, carrots, onions.
Still contains celery.
- Mushroom broth (dried or fresh shiitake simmered in plain water 20-30 min) 1:1 by volume
Earthy taste.
- Miso whisked into hot water (1-2 tsp per 1 cup) 1:1 by volume
Add late; do not boil hard.
Still contains soy.
Onion powder2 options
- Garlic powder use about half as much
- Leave out leave out (small background flavour)
Chilli flakes2 options
- Leave out (optional heat, 1/4 tsp) leave out (optional heat only)
- Sweet paprika for colour same amount
No heat.
Serve it with
- Rice
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Crusty bread
