Pesto Chicken Flatbread Recipe
This Pesto Chicken Flatbread recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breast with flavorful basil pesto, melted mozzarella, and fresh cherry tomatoes atop crisp flatbread. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering, it delivers vibrant Italian-inspired flavors in a simple, easy-to-make dish.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-fry and Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Chicken and Pesto
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Flatbread and Toppings
- 4 pieces of flatbread (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the assembled flatbreads.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Optionally, add garlic powder or Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. This helps retain juices. After resting, slice the chicken into thin strips.
- Prepare Flatbreads: Lay the flatbreads evenly on a baking sheet. Spread a generous layer of fresh basil pesto over each flatbread, covering the surface fully.
- Assemble Toppings: Evenly distribute the sliced chicken over the pesto layers on each flatbread. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by halved cherry tomatoes.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Finish by sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of each flatbread to enhance flavor and create a golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the flatbread edges turn golden brown.
- Optional Broil: For a crispy top, switch the oven to broil in the last 1-2 minutes of baking. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove the flatbreads from the oven carefully and let them cool for a minute. Slice into quarters or halves, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve warm alongside a fresh side salad or dipping sauce.
Notes
- Use store-bought pesto and flatbread for a quick meal or make your own for a fresher taste.
- Resting the chicken before slicing ensures juiciness and prevents dryness.
- Adjust baking time based on your oven to avoid burning the flatbread edges.
- You can substitute mozzarella with provolone or fontina for a different cheese flavor.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or a garlic aioli dipping sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 flatbread
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Pesto Chicken Flatbread, Italian Flatbread Recipe, Chicken Flatbread, Easy Dinner, Basil Pesto Recipe, Quick Flatbread, Mozzarella Chicken Flatbread