Pesto Chicken

This recipe is based on one of the first meals I ever made for Matt and I when we started dating in 2014 :) It will always be considered comfort food to us and is tied with nostalgic feelings of binge watching Walking Dead to get caught up on the floor of Matt’s bachelor, studio apartment. We hope you enjoy our Pesto Chicken!

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (approx. 2lbs)

4 tbsp Pesto (Use store bought or see below for easy, homemade version!)

Salt to taste

1 Medium Lemon, for both zest and juice

3/4 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

1/4 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Easy Pesto

Make your own following the recipe below or use my favorite local, store bought brand, Gotham Greens!

3 Cups Packed Basil Leaves

1/4 Cup Walnuts or Pine Nuts (tip- walnuts are cheaper!)

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

Juice of 1 lemon or lime

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Blend or food process ingredients until smooth. If the mixture i too thick, add more olive oil 1 teaspoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency

Instructions:

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a baking dish, spread approx. 1TBS of pesto. Lay the SALT PEPPER chicken breasts on top of the pesto. Spread the remaining approx. 3TBS of pesto on top of the chicken breasts. Salt, Lemon juice and zest. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling and chicken is cooked through. Serve with roasted broccoli and over spaghetti squash for a beautiful meal!