Have you ever craved a restaurant-quality meal but didn’t want to leave the comfort of your home? Look no further than these Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. This mouthwatering dish combines tender chicken breasts with the vibrant flavors of homemade pesto and the sweet tanginess of sun-dried tomatoes, creating a symphony of flavors that will transport you straight to the Italian countryside. The best part? It looks incredibly impressive on a plate but requires minimal effort to prepare – perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions when you want to wow your guests.
The secret to this recipe’s success lies in the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The chicken remains juicy and tender while the filling offers a creamy, herbaceous contrast. Sun-dried tomatoes add a delightful pop of concentrated flavor and a beautiful visual element that makes this dish as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. I’ve been perfecting this recipe for years, and it never fails to impress everyone at my dinner table. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or sophisticated foodies, this dish manages to satisfy everyone while still feeling special enough for a celebration.
Let me share a little secret with you – this recipe was born out of necessity during a dinner party emergency. I had planned an elaborate meal but ran short on time, and these stuffed chicken breasts saved the day. My guests were so impressed they asked for the recipe before they even finished their plates! Since then, it’s become my go-to recipe when I want to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Tender chicken breasts stuffed with creamy pesto and mozzarella cheese, topped with sun-dried tomatoes for a flavorful weeknight dinner that tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
- 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought basil pesto
- 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- In a small bowl, mix the pesto with half of the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Stuff each chicken breast with about 2 tablespoons of the pesto mixture and a slice or two of mozzarella cheese (or about 1 oz of shredded cheese).
- Secure the openings with toothpicks if necessary to keep the filling from leaking out during cooking.
- Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil on both sides. Combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Top each chicken breast with the remaining sun-dried tomatoes and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (or place chicken in your prepared baking dish) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and toasted pine nuts if using.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
Calories: 425
Fat: 28g
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 39g
Sodium: 580mg
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Don’t have sun-dried tomatoes? Try roasted red peppers instead. Not a fan of mozzarella? Swap it for provolone or fontina cheese. The pesto itself can be customized – traditional basil pesto works wonderfully, but don’t be afraid to experiment with alternatives like sun-dried tomato pesto or even a spinach-walnut variation. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to adapt this dish to your personal preferences or whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand.
What I particularly love about this dish is how it transforms ordinary chicken breasts into something extraordinary. Chicken breasts can sometimes get a bad reputation for being dry or boring, but this recipe turns that notion on its head. The pesto infuses moisture and flavor throughout the meat, while the cheese creates pockets of melty goodness that will have you savoring every bite. Even if you’re not particularly confident in your cooking skills, this recipe is surprisingly forgiving and almost guaranteed to impress.
For a complete meal, I recommend serving these stuffed chicken breasts with a side of garlic roasted potatoes or creamy polenta to soak up all those delicious juices. A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a perfect fresh contrast to the rich flavors of the chicken. If you’re entertaining, pair this dish with a medium-bodied Italian wine like a Sangiovese or a crisp Pinot Grigio to elevate the dining experience even further.
Make-ahead tip: You can prepare these stuffed chicken breasts up to a day in advance. Simply prepare them through step 6, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. This makes them perfect for entertaining, as you can do all the prep work ahead of time and simply sear and bake when your guests arrive. The aromas wafting from your kitchen will create an inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for a memorable meal.
One final piece of advice: don’t rush the searing process. Taking the time to properly brown the chicken before baking creates a depth of flavor that truly makes this dish special. The caramelization that occurs during searing adds richness and complexity that can’t be achieved through baking alone. And when you cut into that perfectly cooked chicken to reveal the vibrant green pesto and melted cheese, you’ll know that any effort was well worth it.
So the next time you’re tempted to order takeout or serve a plain grilled chicken breast, remember this recipe. With just a few extra minutes of preparation, you can create a meal that will have everyone at your table thinking you’ve secretly enrolled in culinary school. Enjoy the process, savor the flavors, and most importantly, relish the satisfied smiles of those lucky enough to share this meal with you.