Pesto Baked Chicken Thighs
Easy pesto baked chicken thighs made with just 8 ingredients in 20 minutes! A delicious, versatile main to pair with salads, pasta, roasted vegetables, and more.
Servings 4 (Chicken thighs)
Ingredients
- 4 (~6 oz. each) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (organic, pasture-raised when possible // four thighs are ~1 ½ lbs // bone in, skin on also work)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried Italian herb blend (or dried oregano + basil)
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (omit/reduce for less heat)
- 3-4 Tbsp basil pesto (store-bought* or homemade // dairy-free as needed)
- 2 tsp olive oil (use less for skin-on chicken thighs)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and set out a large cast iron skillet (10-12 inch).
- To a mixing bowl, add the chicken thighs, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and pesto. Mix well until evenly coated, adding 1 Tbsp more pesto if using homemade (it's not usually as concentrated in flavor).
- Heat the cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and wait 1 minute for it to get hot. Add chicken thighs (skin side down if using skin-on) and cook until golden brown on the underside, about 3-4 minutes. Then flip and cook for 2-3 minutes more.
- Once browned on both sides, carefully transfer the skillet to the oven (using an oven mitt) and bake until the internal temperature reads 170F / 76C (make sure to insert into the center and not hit bone for an accurate reading) — about 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken thighs.
- Remove from the oven and let rest in the pan for ~5 minutes before serving.
- This dish pairs well with roasted potatoes, roasted eggplant, pesto pasta salad, roasted asparagus, or a simple green salad.
- Best when fresh, though leftovers will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot. Not freezer friendly.
Notes
*Store-bought dairy-free pestos we’ve tried and enjoy: Gotham Greens Vegan Pesto, Le Grand Garden Pesto, and Trader Joe’s Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto.
*We prefer searing on the stovetop before baking for best flavor and texture. Cooking on the stovetop only doesn’t work as well because the exterior is prone to burning before the chicken is cooked through.
*If you want to bake only and skip searing on the stovetop, you can place the seasoned chicken thighs on a foil or parchment-lined baking sheet sprayed/rubbed with oil. Bake at 425 F / 218 C for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reads 170 F / 76C (make sure to insert into the center for an accurate reading). They don’t get as crispy but are still delicious!
*Loosely adapted from our Pesto “Parmesan” Turkey Meatballs.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with boneless skinless thighs and the lesser amounts where ranges are provided.
*We prefer searing on the stovetop before baking for best flavor and texture. Cooking on the stovetop only doesn’t work as well because the exterior is prone to burning before the chicken is cooked through.
*If you want to bake only and skip searing on the stovetop, you can place the seasoned chicken thighs on a foil or parchment-lined baking sheet sprayed/rubbed with oil. Bake at 425 F / 218 C for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reads 170 F / 76C (make sure to insert into the center for an accurate reading). They don’t get as crispy but are still delicious!
*Loosely adapted from our Pesto “Parmesan” Turkey Meatballs.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with boneless skinless thighs and the lesser amounts where ranges are provided.
Nutrition (1 of 4 servings)
Serving: 1 serving Calories: 248 Carbohydrates: 2.4 g Protein: 35 g Fat: 11 g Saturated Fat: 2.1 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 5.4 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 144 mg Sodium: 366 mg Potassium: 503 mg Fiber: 0.9 g Sugar: 0.2 g Vitamin A: 123 IU Vitamin C: 2.5 mg Calcium: 26 mg Iron: 2.3 mg