2-Ingredient Baked Pesto Chicken {Sheet Pan}

Name: 2-Ingredient Baked Pesto Chicken {Sheet Pan}
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken cutlets (or 2 chicken breasts sliced in half lengthwise); 1/2 cup jarred pesto; grated parmesan cheese, for garnish; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 red pepper, chopped; 1 yellow pepper, chopped; 1 bunch asparagus, chopped; 1/4 tsp each salt & pepper

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This Baked Pesto Chicken is made easy with just TWO ingredients on a sheet pan for easy cleanup. Plus, it’s ready in 30 minutes!

A sheet pan of pesto coated chicken cutlets with chopped asparagus, red pepper and yellow pepper.

Ingredients and substitutions

Chicken cutlets – boneless skinless chicken thighs would also work here.
Jarred pesto – using a store-bought pesto is easiest but you can also use a homemade pesto.
Grated parmesan cheese – leave this out altogether or swap out for another cheese of your choice like mozzarella.

Side veggies

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Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil like canola oil or sunflower oil.
Red and yellow pepper – swap out for another colour bell pepper or a veggie of your choice.
Asparagus – green beans or broccoli would also be good here.
Salt & pepper – to taste.

Pesto coated chicken cutlets with asparagus, red pepper and yellow pepper in square glass meal prep containers.

How to make pesto chicken

Coat the chicken with pesto.
Add the veggies and chicken to a sheet pan.
Baked for 15-18 minutes.
Add the cheese, serve and enjoy!

A sheet pan of pesto coated chicken cutlets with chopped asparagus, red pepper and yellow pepper, close up.

Store-bought vs. homemade pesto

You can definitely make your own homemade basil pesto for this pesto chicken recipe! The only reason I use store-bought pesto is to save time and money.

Here’s what you’ll need to make homemade pesto:

2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
1 pinch salt & pepper

All you have to do is blend everything up together in a food processor or mini blender like a Magic Bullet and voila!

Keep in mind that the ingredients are fairly expensive and not necessarily items you would already have on hand at home so I do often encourage people to use store-bought shortcuts when they can. It just depends on how much time you have to meal prep and make this recipe!

Pesto coated chicken cutlets with asparagus, red pepper and yellow pepper in square glass meal prep containers, zoomed in on the bottom left hand corner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pesto chicken go with?

I like serving my pesto chicken with some roasted veggies than cook on the sheet pan alongside the chicken for minimal clean-up. Feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand! You could also serve your pesto chicken with some rice or even pasta noodles.

What is it made of?

This recipe is super simple because all you need are two ingredients – jarred pesto sauce and chicken cutlets! The pesto sauce tastes so good with the chicken and it’s a super easy lunch or dinner idea.

What does it taste like?

Pesto chicken takes earthy, garlicky and herby thanks to the basil or parsley in the pesto sauce.

A sheet pan of pesto coated chicken cutlets with chopped asparagus, red pepper and yellow pepper, zoomed in on an angle.

Storing and reheating

Pesto chicken will last in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight glass bowl or meal prep container. When you’re ready to enjoy, sprinkle some water over top of the chicken and reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

If you’re making homemade pesto, it will last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. You can use it to make pesto chicken, pasta or even a sandwich spread! If the oil turns brown or the pesto has a foul odor, it is no longer safe to eat and should be thrown out.

Freezing this recipe

You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months. The chicken can be frozen raw in the pesto sauce or cooked in airtight glass containers or freezer-safe Ziploc bags. The night before you want to enjoy your chicken, transfer it the fridge to defrost then reheat or cook as normal.

Pesto coated chicken cutlets with asparagus, red pepper and yellow pepper in square glass meal prep containers, zoomed in.

More sheet pan chicken recipes

Meal Prep Tools for This Recipe

Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this baked pesto chicken into lunches for the week
I get all of my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen
I like to use parchment paper with my sheet pan recipes for easy clean up