Easy Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast

Name: Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 18 min
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast; ¼ cup pesto

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Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast is perfect for a quick dinner idea. With only a few ingredients and steps, this recipe is perfect when you’re short on time. Our air fryer pesto chicken breast recipe is not only an easy dinner, but also a quick way to make a chicken dinner on busy weeknights.

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast white plate with gold trim chicken cup up on the plate. fork on the plate. white and pink towel next to it

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Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast
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Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast

If you love our Trader Joe’s Pesto Chicken Breast, you’ll love this pesto chicken breast made in the air fryer.

With only two ingredients (pesto & chicken breast), you’ll be able to whip up this recipe in no time at all. And you can either use your favorite store-bought pesto or a homemade pesto recipe. Be on the lookout for our recipe coming soon!

This recipe was super easy to make. The whole family loved it!

If you love this super simple yet delicious chicken breast recipe, make sure you check out these other recipes: Air Fryer Chicken Breast Strips, Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast, and Air Fryer Italian Chicken Breast.

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast two plates one has just chicken the other has chicken and rice. parsley and pesto in the back.

Why you’ll love this easy air fryer recipe

Budget Friendly I buy a family pack of chicken breast or stock up when they are BOGO and store them in the freezer. Just pull out the chicken the night before you need it.
Quick and Easy Dinner – Have dinner ready and on the table in less than 20 minutes
Meal Prep – This air fryer chicken pesto is great for meal prep! It warms up great!
Delicious – This recipe is so delicious, you will be adding this to your weekly routine.

Ingredients

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: I used boneless skinless chicken breast in this air fryer recipe, but you can use any cut of chicken that you prefer.
Pesto – I bought a jar of pesto sauce at Aldi’s, but you can make your own pesto sauce if you prefer

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast ingredient photo for Air fryer pesto chicken breast

Tips & Tricks

If you have a thick chicken breast, you may need to pound it down the chicken breast to ensure an even cooking time. You can always butterfly the chicken breast if it’s super thick as well!
Always use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is 165F. Once the timer goes off, take the chicken out of the air fryer so you don’t dry out the chicken.
You do not need to use any oil in this recipe. The pesto sauce is oil-based.

Tools to make this Pesto Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes
Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken breast
Meat thermometer – You always want to make sure the internal temperature of ANY chicken is 165

How to make Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast

Butterfly the chicken breast and remove any excess fat from the chicken.
Take your pesto sauce and brush it on top of the chicken breast. Make sure you coat both sides of the chicken breast.
Transfer the chicken to the air fryer basket and cook at 390F for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure the internal temperature is 165F.
Remove from the air fryer basket and serve.

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast white plate with raw chicken and pesto spreader all over the chicken breast

Stovetop Directions

Butterfly the chicken breast and remove any excess fat from the chicken breast.
Take your pesto sauce and brush it on top of the chicken breast. Make sure you coat both sides of the chicken breast.
Preheat the pan over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil
Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side. or until the internal temperature is 165F
Remove from the stove, serve, and enjoy!

Substitutions

Chicken breast substitution: You can also use chicken breast cutlets, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or chicken tenders.

Pesto substitution: You can make your own homemade pesto sauce if you like. It only has a few ingredients as well! My homemade pesto recipe will be coming out soon!

What to serve with Pesto Chicken Breast

You can serve this pesto chicken with rice and have it cooking while the chicken is going in the air fryer. Add your favorite steamed vegetables for some fiber and vitamins.

You can also serve this pesto chicken breast over salad if you want to keep it low-carb.

How to store

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
For meal prep, you can freeze a meal for up to 3 months

How to reheat

Remove the lid from the container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes or until the chicken is warm. Alternatively, you can transfer to a microwave-safe plate.

To warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.

FAQs

Which cheese is best for pesto?

Most pesto recipes call for Parmesan cheese.

Is pesto healthier than tomato sauce?

Marinara is a good choice if you’re watching your calorie count, but pesto is best if you’re trying to maximize nutrients and fiber.

Do Italians use pine nuts in pesto?

Yes, most pesto recipes call for pine nuts in their pesto.

Sliced Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast on a White Plate Garnished with Parsley

More Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipes

If you loved this pesto chicken breast recipe in the air fryer, check out these other air fryer chicken breast recipes.

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Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast

Our air fryer pesto chicken breast recipe is not only an easy dinner, but also a quick way to make a chicken dinner on busy weeknights.

4.84 from 62 votes

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Prep Time 3

Cook Time 18

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 379 kcal