Creamy Pesto Chicken: Easy Weeknight Dinner

Name: Creamy Pesto Chicken with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs (bone in, skin on); 2 tablespoons olive oil ((substitute avocado or grapeseed oil)); sun dried tomato pesto ((see below)); 10 cloves garlic; 1 cup chicken broth; 4 sprigs thyme; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese; 4 tablespoons sun dried tomatoes; 1/4 cup pine nuts (toasted); 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper; 3 cloves garlic; 4 tablespoons olive oil

If you're looking for a rich, comforting dinner that feels restaurant-worthy but is surprisingly easy to make, this Creamy Pesto Chicken is exactly what you need. With crispy skin-on chicken thighs, a velvety garlic cream sauce, and bold sun-dried tomato pesto, this dish delivers big flavor in every single bite.

Deliciously crispy skin with a perfectly juicy interior, all swimming in a creamy pesto sauce—tell me you're not drooling yet?! It’s even a rival to Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic… and honestly, we can’t decide which is better.

Whole cloves of garlic roast right alongside the chicken, turning soft, sweet, and incredibly rich—taking this dish to the next level. It’s ultra comforting, yet simple enough for a weeknight since it comes together with just a few minutes of prep.

Serve it over pasta with a loaf of crusty bread to soak up that creamy sauce, or pair it with pesto challah bread for even more flavor. Want to elevate things? Make it the entrée after a black truffle risotto for a dinner party menu that’s guaranteed to impress.

2 chicken thighs on a plate with garlic clovesand silverware

What is Creamy Pesto Chicken?

Creamy Pesto Chicken is a skillet chicken recipe made with crispy chicken thighs simmered in a rich cream sauce flavored with pesto, garlic, broth, thyme, and Parmesan cheese. This version uses homemade sun-dried tomato pesto for extra depth and bold flavor.

Jump to:

What is Creamy Pesto Chicken?
Why This Recipe Works
Why This Creamy Pesto Chicken is Better Than Store-Bought
What is My Take on Creamy Garlic Chicken?
Ingredients
Key Ingredients
Step by Step Instructions
How to Get the Best Texture / Results
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Variations
What to Serve With Creamy Pesto Chicken
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Storage + Reheating + Make Ahead + Meal Prep
Closing: Creamy Pesto Chicken
Reader's Favorite Chicken Recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Went Here 8 This.

Why This Recipe Works

Crispy skin from searing plus oven finish keeps thighs juicy.
Sun-dried tomato pesto adds concentrated umami and brightness.
Heavy cream and Parmesan create a silky pan sauce that clings to the chicken and is perfect for mopping up with bread or tossing with pasta.

Why This Creamy Pesto Chicken is Better Than Store-Bought

Jarred sauces can taste flat or overly salty. Making your own sauce gives you:

Fresher garlic flavor
Better texture
Real Parmesan richness
Customizable seasoning
Higher quality ingredients

What is My Take on Creamy Garlic Chicken?

Creamy garlic chicken recipes are popular for a reason—but adding sun-dried tomato pesto takes it to another level. You get richness, brightness, nuttiness, and deep savory flavor all in one skillet.

Ingredients

Chicken

4 chicken thighs bone in, skin on
2 tablespoons olive oil (substitute avocado or grapeseed oil)
sun dried tomato pesto (see below)
10 cloves garlic
1 cup chicken broth
4 sprigs thyme
1 cup heavy cream
¼ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

4 tablespoons sun dried tomatoes
¼ cup pine nuts toasted
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
3 cloves garlic
4 tablespoons olive oil

👉 Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable version of ingredients and instructions.

Key Ingredients

Chicken Thighs - Bone-in, skin-on thighs stay juicy and develop crispy skin.
Heavy Cream - Creates a silky, rich sauce.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes - Packed with concentrated sweet-savory flavor.
Parmesan - Adds salty nuttiness and helps thicken the sauce.

If you enjoy creamy sauces, try this White Wine Sauce Recipe too.

close up of chicken in creamy orange colored sauce

Step by Step Instructions

Step1: Preheat the oven to 400F.

Step2: Place the chicken thighs, skin side down, in a cast iron skillet and heat over medium heat. Cook for about 7-10 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

red sauce and garlic cloves in a skillet

Step3: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Turn the heat to medium high and add the pesto and garlic cloves and cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step4: Add the broth and bring to a simmer.

Step5: Add cream and thyme and bring back to a simmer.

Step6: Add chicken and place the skillet directly in the oven. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160F.

chicken thighs in a skillet with orange sauce

Step7: Remove from the oven and serve with bread and/or pasta. Or see the notes below for some other ideas.

How to Make Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

To make the pesto, blend the sun dried tomatoes, salt, pepper, 3 garlic cloves and olive oil in a food processor or blender. Add more olive oil if the mixture is too thick (it should be pretty thick, but mixable).

Creamy Pesto Chicken with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

How to Get the Best Texture / Results

Sear skin side down in a cold skillet and bring to medium as the pan heats — this helps render fat and crisp skin.
Use a cast-iron skillet for even heat and oven-safe finishing.
Internal temp target: remove at 160°F, tent 5–10 minutes (carryover to 165°F). Use an instant-read thermometer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking thighs — dry meat results from too-high oven temperatures or too-long cooking.
Burning garlic (turn heat down if needed)
Skipping the deglaze — the broth picks up browned bits for flavor.

Variations

Add 1–2 chopped fresh tomatoes to the sauce for a chunkier finish (add with the broth).
Make it spicy: add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pesto or sauce.
Swap pine nuts for toasted almonds in the pesto.

What to Serve With Creamy Pesto Chicken

This dish pairs perfectly with:

Creamy mashed potatoes
Pasta like fettuccine or linguine
Crusty French Bread

Try serving it with:

Expert Tips

Starting the chicken in a cold skillet allows the fat in the skin to slowly render as the temperature rises, which helps to get that nice browned crispy skin.
I like to leave the rendered chicken fat in the skillet when I add the pesto and tomatoes as it adds richness, but feel free to drain the excess if your prefer.
Add 1-2 chopped fresh tomatoes to the sauce for a chunkier sauce. Add them in with the broth.
If the pesto is too thick, add additional olive oil until it thins. Note that it should be slightly thick - it should not be pour-able.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

Yes — reduce oven time slightly and check internal temperature for doneness.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Substitute cream with coconut cream (flavor will change).

Is this keto-friendly?

Yes—low carb and high fat.

Storage + Reheating + Make Ahead + Meal Prep

Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3–4 days in the fridge.
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if sauce has thickened.
Make-ahead: sear the thighs and make pesto; assemble sauce up to step 5 and refrigerate, then finish in the oven before serving.

Closing: Creamy Pesto Chicken

This Creamy Pesto Chicken is rich, comforting, and packed with bold flavor from garlic, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomato pesto. It’s the kind of easy skillet dinner that feels special every single time. If you make it, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out!