Description
Crunchy Baked Pesto Chicken Thighs are the ultimate comfort food that combines tender, juicy chicken with a savory, crispy pesto crust. This easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4-6 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Generously coat each thigh with pesto sauce.
- In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and olive oil; press onto each thigh.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
Notes
For extra crunch, broil the chicken for the last few minutes of cooking.
Use fresh ingredients for enhanced flavor.
Feel free to substitute chicken thighs with breasts, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: For extra crunch, broil the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking. Use fresh ingredients for enhanced flavor. You can substitute chicken thighs with breasts; adjust cooking time accordingly.