If you’re having a busy week, simplicity is key when it comes to cooking – quick and easy dishes will help you stay on track and stick to your macros.
This keto pesto chicken with mozzarella recipe is incredibly simple to make, and very filling. Besides, you only need three ingredients. What could be better than that?
Optionally, you can add grated Parmesan together with the mozzarella. You can also add freshly ground black pepper to the chicken before cooking it. It’s important not to overcook the chicken, so you should not wait for it to be completely cooked before adding the mozzarella.
When buying your pesto, check the label for the ingredients and for the carbs it contains – pesto is typically low-carb but the actual number can vary.
Pesto should contain relatively simple ingredients, but they need to be high-quality, such as olive oil (not canola or vegetable oil), pine nuts, basil, garlic, and organic cheese.
Although it’s often used only as a garnish, pesto contains many health benefits. It’s a good source of the antioxidant chlorophyll, thanks to the basil.
Research shows that chlorophyll has powerful antioxidant properties that decrease the risk of certain cancers, such as pancreatic and colon cancers (1)(2).
Basil has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels and help reduce body weight and BMI (3). It also has numerous neurocognition benefits and has been shown to reduce depression, stress, anxiety, and sexual problems while enhancing memory and cognition (4).
You can serve this recipe with your favorite low-carb veggies or a side salad. If you love this dish, feel free to try my keto pesto chicken casserole.
How to Make Low Carb Mozzarella Pesto Chicken
Preheat the oven to 200ºC or 390 °F.
Place the chicken breasts (or chicken thighs if using) on a cutting board and slice them into pieces. You can make about two to three pieces from each breast. Chop them as small as you prefer. Gently marinade the chicken pieces with half of the pesto.
You can either make your own keto-friendly pesto by blending fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, or use a store-bought sugar-free pesto. Alternatively, you can try this keto homemade pesto sauce recipe.
Brush a pan with cooking olive oil or butter. On a stove over medium heat, cook the chicken for 10-15 minutes until golden.
Once the meat is cooked, pour the rest of the pesto on top of the chicken and add the Mozzarella cheese (shredded Cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese) on top. Bake in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy with your loved ones. Don’t forget to our list of keto chicken recipes for more keto meal ideas.
Related:
- Baked Pesto Shrimp with Cauliflower and Tomatoes
- Keto Zucchini Spaghetti with Pesto
- Keto Creamy Tomato Mustard Chicken
- Low Carb Chicken Zucchini Enchiladas
- Keto Hasselback Ricotta Spinach Chicken
Keto Pesto Chicken
Ingredients
- 450 g chicken breast cut into small pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil for cooking
- 5 tbsp pesto sauce keto-friendly
- 60 g Mozzarella whole milk, shredded
Instructions
- Set the oven to 200°C to preheat while making the dish.
- Chop the chicken into small portions. You should cut about two to three pieces from each chicken breast.
- Marinate the chicken pieces using half of the pesto sauce.
- In a frying pan or a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 15 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Once the chicken is cooked, spread the remaining pesto sauce over.
- Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese on the chicken then bake for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve on a plate and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition/Macros
FAQ
What to serve with pesto chicken on keto?
You can serve this cheesy pesto chicken with low-carb sides such as cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, a fresh green salad, or steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus for a complete keto-friendly meal.
How to reheat pesto chicken?
To reheat pesto chicken, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can warm it in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Both methods help retain the moisture and flavor of the chicken and pesto. I suggest you add extra cheese when reheating the leftover.
Is pesto sauce high in carbs?
Traditional pesto sauce is relatively low in carbs, as its main ingredients are basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, all of which have low carbohydrate content. You can also try making your own pesto sauce from home. It’s pretty easy.