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    Home ยป Keto

    Keto Pesto Chicken - Low-Carb and Super Easy

    Published: Sep 13, 2021 Updated: Oct 12, 2021 By: Cassidy Stauffer May earn from affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Keto Pesto Chicken {Paleo & Whole30 Options!}

    Served with fresh pesto, mozzarella, tomato, and basil, this easy keto pesto chicken recipe is juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor! It's super easy to make, can be made with chicken breasts or thighs, and can also be made dairy-free, paleo, and whole30 friendly.

    overhead shoto of pesto chicken on plate with mozzarella, tomato, and basil

    This baked keto pesto chicken recipe is not only tender, juicy, and flavorful, but it's a great last-minute keto chicken recipe to make when you don't feel like cooking!

    It can be made with chicken breasts or thighs and only requires a few simple ingredients. Then, top with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil for an extra fresh and flavorful chicken dinner.

    It's especially perfect to make in the summertime when tomatoes and fresh basil are abundant!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Easy instructions
    • What to serve with it
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    Ingredients

    Here are the simple ingredients:

    • Chicken - Use chicken breasts or any cut of chicken thighs. I prefer bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
    • Salt & Pepper - To season the chicken.
    • Basil Pesto - Use my homemade whole30 pesto or storebought, it's up to you!
    • Fresh Mozzarella - This usually comes in a ball or log and has more moisture than the shredded variety. While I prefer fresh, the shredded variety will also work. Or you can omit the mozzarella if you are dairy-free.
    • Tomatoes - Any slicing tomato works well! I love to make this in the summertime using fresh tomatoes from my garden 🍅
    • Fresh Basil - For garnish. I love to chiffonade my basil. To do this, simply stack the basil leaves, roll them, then slice them to make pretty ribbons.

    Frequently asked questions

    What cut of chicken is best for this recipe?

    The recipe is written using bone-in skin-on chicken thighs because I love the crispy skin! However, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts! If using one of these options, be sure to look at the notes in the recipe card to find the modified baking times.

    Can this pesto chicken be made dairy-free, whole30, and paleo?

    Yes! To make this low-carb pesto chicken recipe whole30, paleo, and dairy-free, simply omit the mozzarella cheese and use my homemade whole30 pesto.

    Easy instructions

    processed pesto in the bowl of a food processor
    pesto in a bowl of a food processor

    Start with the pesto. You can use store-bought or my homemade whole30 pesto recipe.

    If you're using my homemade pesto recipe, simply mix all of the following ingredients into the bowl of a food processor:

    • fresh basil
    • pine nuts
    • garlic
    • lemon juice
    • blanched almond flour
    • sesame seeds (optional)
    • onion powder
    • sea salt
    • nutritional yeast

    Then, slowly drizzle in olive oil or avocado oil until it reaches the right consistency.

    chicken with pesto on pan
    pesto-covered chicken on pan

    Then, place the chicken on a broiler pan or lined baking sheet, season with salt and pepper, and cover with pesto.

    baked chicken with mozzarella and tomatoes
    baked chicken with mozzarella and tomatoes

    Bake for 40 minutes.

    Then, top with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes. Bake 5 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

    close up of pesto chicken
    close up of pesto chicken

    Allow to rest for 5 minutes to lock in the juices and serve with ribbons of basil!

    What to serve with it

    • Pasta- Since this dish has an Italian flare, it would go great with some pasta! For low-carb, I recommend zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
    • Veggies - Low-carb veggies such as this asparagus recipe, skillet keto green beans, broccoli, or even a keto caprese salad (if you love lots of mozzarella!) or a side salad will balsamic vinaigrette would also be delicious!

    And if you're looking for more chicken recipes, I can't wait to try this Balsamic Chicken from Sun Kissed Kitchen - YUM!

    Have you tried this Keto Pesto Chicken? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

    Craving more? FOLLOW ME on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or E-Mail to find more delicious food!

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    Keto Pesto Chicken {Paleo & Whole30 Options!}

    Keto Pesto Chicken

    Served with fresh pesto, mozzarella, tomato, and basil, this easy keto pesto chicken recipe is juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor! It's super easy and can also be made dairy-free, paleo, and whole30 friendly.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved!
    Add to Meal PlanGo to Collections
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Diet: Dairy-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    CALORIES :525kcal
    CARBS :4g
    FIBER :1g
    Author: Cassidy Stauffer

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil Or Oil Of Choice - for greasing pan
    • 4 large Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs - see notes below if using a different cut of chicken
    • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • ½ cup Basil Pesto
    • 4 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
    • 1 - 2 medium Slicing Tomatoes - thinly sliced
    • Fresh Basil - for garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Then, line the bottom of a broiler pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and grease the top with oil (alternatively, you can use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil if needed).
    • Prepare the pesto if you're not using storebought.
    • Place the chicken on the prepared pan and season both sides with salt and pepper. Then, cover the chicken with the pesto.
    • Bake for 40 minutes.
    • Top the chicken with fresh mozzarella and sliced tomatoes. Bake 5 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then serve with fresh basil.

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Video

    Notes

    • See how easy this recipe is to make on my YouTube channel! Watch the full video here: Pesto YouTube Video
    • To make this keto pesto chicken recipe whole30, paleo, and dairy-free, simply omit the mozzarella cheese and use the dairy-free options on my pesto recipe.
    • If using bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, I recommend using a broiler pan because the added airflow allows the skin to get extra crispy. If you don't have a broiler pan, you can place a folded cooling rack on top of a baking sheet.
    • For boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Add the mozzarella cheese and tomatoes, then bake an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
    • If your chicken breasts are really thick, cover with plastic wrap and pound with a mallet until they are around 1 inch thick, otherwise, they may take longer to cook through.
    • While I prefer fresh Mozzarella, the shredded variety can be substituted.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1piece of chicken | Calories: 525kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 870mg | Potassium: 356mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1059IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 1mg

    NET CARBS = Total Carbs - Fiber - Allulose - Xylitol

    Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Sugar alcohols, xylitol, and allulose are included in the total carbs and fiber.

    Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out my

    Keto Resources
    Did You Try This Recipe?Mention @CassidysCraveableCreations so I can take a look!

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    116 shares
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    Cassidy is a certified keto and intermittent fasting health coach and a mom of two teenagers, one of whom has autism and epilepsy. For the well-being of her family, she serves up easy, kid-approved recipes that are gluten-free and keto with many dairy-free and paleo options. She's passionate about creating healthy, allergy-friendly food that's just as good as the original!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. CarolG says

      September 30, 2023 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      5/5 star recipe!

      Reply
      • Cassidy says

        October 01, 2023 at 1:54 pm

        Awe, thank you โ˜บ๏ธโค๏ธ

        Reply
    2. CarolG says

      September 30, 2023 at 8:41 pm

      I made this as recommended for boneless, skinless chicken thighs and they came out great. Juicy, easy and fast. I'll be making this recipe again for sure! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Cassidy says

        October 01, 2023 at 1:53 pm

        Thank you, I'm SO happy you liked them!!!

        XO,
        Cassidy

        Reply

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    Keto Pesto Chicken {Paleo & Whole30 Options!}
    Head Shot Of Cassidy Stauffer

    Hi, I'm Cassidy! I'm a certified keto and intermittent fasting coach and am a mom of two teenagers, one of whom has autism and epilepsy. For the well-being of my family, I serve up easy, kid-approved recipes that are gluten-free and keto with many dairy-free and paleo options. I'm passionate about creating healthy, allergy-friendly food that's just as good as the original!

    More about me →

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