Creamy Pesto Chicken
This Creamy Pesto Chicken delivers 37g protein and 453 calories per serving — a high-protein, moderate-calorie option for both muscle gain and fat loss phases. Quick stovetop prep yields 4 servings in one session, letting you front-load your week with a solid protein base. Hit your daily protein targets without over-committing to calories.
Ingredients
- •Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(590g)
Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.
- •1/8 tsp salt ($0.01)
- •1/8 tsp pepper ($0.01)
- •Olive oil(30g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Garlic(120g)
- •Tomato, Cherry
- •Cream, Heavy Whipping(120g)
- •Basil Pesto, Prepared(60g)
Instructions
- 1Fillet the chicken breasts into two thinner pieces (or pound the chicken to an even thickness then cut each breast in half to create four portions). Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper on both sides.
- 2Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 Tbsp oil and swirl to coat the surface. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook on each side until golden brown and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes total). Remove the chicken to a clean plate.
- 3Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet along with the minced garlic and halved grape tomatoes. Sauté for about five minutes, or until the tomatoes start to soften and lose their shape.
- 4Add the heavy cream and pesto to the skillet with the tomatoes and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to come up to a simmer. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt or pepper to your liking.
- 5Add the chicken back to the skillet with the tomatoes and sauce, turning to coat the chicken. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for just a few minutes more to heat through. Serve hot.
Nutrition — Per Serving
453
calories
37g
protein
28g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 12g
- Saturated fat
- 9.9g
- Sodium
- 170 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 0.9g
4 servings per batch · ~230g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Creamy Pesto Chicken have per serving?
Each serving delivers 37g of protein and 453 calories, with 28g fat and 12g carbs. This is a high-fat, low-carb option that skews toward keto or carnivore-aligned macros.
How long does Creamy Pesto Chicken take to prep?
Labeled as quick prep, this stovetop recipe batch-makes 4 servings in one session. You're looking at minimal active cooking time with maximum macro-tracked meals ready to go.
Is Creamy Pesto Chicken good for fat loss?
At 453 calories and 37g protein per serving with only 12g carbs, this recipe works well for fat loss if you're managing total calorie intake carefully. The high fat content (28g) means it's satiating, but the calorie density requires portion awareness.
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