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    Home » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast

    Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast

    Published: Jun 9, 2023 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This air fryer Pesto chicken breast recipe is simple, quick, and ready in under 20 minutes. Pesto chicken breast in air fryer is packed full of flavor, juicy, and tender and every bite is delicious. Let me show you how to make it.

    pesto chicken breast sliced and served on a plate.

    Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast Recipe

    This air fryer pesto chicken breast recipe is not only simple, but it's easy and quick with minimal prep and ready in a jiffy!

    It is packed full of flavor, the rich herbs and spices of the pesto make the chicken aromatic, flavorful, tender, and delicious.

    Minimal ingredients are used to make this air fryer pesto chicken recipe. Boneless chicken breast and Pesto! You can add extra salt and pepper to your taste. No arranging and measuring out loads of ingredients. It's really a simple and straightforward recipe.

    Pesto is a combination of nuts, herbs, and olive oil and you can use any type of Pesto for this Pesto chicken be it nut-free Pesto, or dairy free.

    You can get this tender chicken with Pesto ready in under 20 minutes! Chicken breasts are quick to cook and with an air fryer, an even shorter time is required.

    This dish is budget friendly and can be served with any side dish of your choice. It's versatile and whether it is baby potatoes, boiled asparagus, or a side of rice, it goes well with it. It's also great for meal prep. Have this in the fridge to pull out and make quick chicken wraps, pesto chicken salad, or sandwiches. The possibilities are endless.

    This air fryer chicken pesto recipe is high in protein, low carb, aromatic, nutritious, flavorful, healthy, and delicious. You will love it!

    Related: Air fryer lemon chicken breast, Air fryer boneless chicken breast

    2 pesto chicken in air fryer.

    Ingredients

    The full ingredient quantities and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
    Chicken breast- I used skinless boneless chicken breast. You can also use Bone in chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs. Other parts of the chicken can also be used but be aware that the cooking time will vary.

    Pesto- Use homemade or store-bought Pesto. You don't need much of it for this recipe as a little of it goes a long way. I used store-bought in this post.

    Salt and Pepper- You can add more of this to taste. If the Pesto is salted, make sure you taste it first to establish if it requires additional salt or not as you don't want your chicken salty.

    ingredients displayed.

    How To Make Pesto Chicken Breast In Air Fryer

    Follow this recipe to make air fried chicken Pesto in simple steps:

    Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and add to a plate or bowl.
    Add in the black pepper, salt, and Pesto. Rub the Pesto and seasoning all over the chicken covering every side.

    Arrange the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Ensure you leave space between the chicken and they are not touching.

    the marinated chicken breasts arranged in air fryer.

    Air fry chicken pesto at 400F/200C for 9 minutes, then use tongs to flip the chicken and continue to air fry for another 8-9 minutes or until they are cooked and the internal temperature reaches at least 165F when checked with an instant thermometer.

    2 pesto chicken breast in air fryer.

    Bring out the chicken from the air fryer. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes then serve.
    Enjoy.

    How Long To Air Fry Chicken Breast At 400

    The length of time this will take depends on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the size, and temperature of the air fryer. Cooking at a lower temperature will take longer than cooking at a higher temperature.

    Typically, how long to cook chicken breast in air fryer at 400F/200C is 15-22 minutes.

    Chicken is cooked when the internal temperature when checked with a meat thermometer is at least 165F. The inside of the chicken will no longer be pink and the juice will run clear.

    served on a whie plate and garnished with parsley.

    What To Serve With

    This tasty air fried pesto chicken breasts pairs well with many side dishes. Below are some recommendations:

    Potato side dishes such as Potato wedges, straw potatoes, Roast potatoes, boiled potatoes.

    Salad- Green salad, Coleslaw, pasta salad, and Cucumber tomato salad are some that pair with it.

    Boiled pasta

    Spicy pasta

    Boiled rice, jollof rice, curry rice

    How To Store

    To store, Let the chicken cool completely, then throw them in a sealable container or Ziploc, label it, and put it in the fridge where it will store well for up to 3 days or put it in the freezer at the start if you intend to store it longer than 3 days. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Reheat in the air fryer or oven.

    To reheat in the air fryer- Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer,  baste the chicken with some more Pesto (if you prefer), and air fry at 190C/ 380F for 4 minutes or until heated to your desired hotness. Don't air fry for too long so it doesn't dry up.

    In the microwave- Arrange on a microwaveable plate, and microwave on high settings till heated through. You can baste with some more Pesto if you desire.

    Leftovers can be used in pasta, Salads, wraps, sandwiches, or sauce.

    pesto chicken breast sliced and served on a plate.

    Tips For Making Chicken Pesto In Air Fryer

    • Use a mallet to pound the chicken if you prefer or cut it into cutlets.
    • Use more Pesto than recommended in this recipe if you prefer. The amount recommended above coats the chicken nicely however you can make it yours by adjusting it to suit your taste.
    • Add smoked paprika for a smokey flavor.
    • No extra oil is needed for this recipe as Pesto sauce is made with olive oil.
    • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting into it.

    FAQS

    How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in air fryer?

    The secret is to not overcook. Cook just till the inside is no longer pink and the internal temperature at the thickest part is at least 165F. Overcooking will dry it out and make it chewy. Cooking time for chicken breasts depends on the size and thickness so adjust time accordingly.

    Which kind of cheese is in pesto?

    Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Sardo are typically the cheese used in pesto.

    Does Pesto contain pine nuts?

    Pesto is typically made with pine nuts however this can be substituted for other types of nuts like walnuts or you can make it nut free.

    TOOLS

    Air fryer- I used Cosori 5.5l air fryer which fits up to 3-4 chicken breasts conveniently. Probreeze, Instant Pot, and Gourmia are also brands that do the same capacity.

    Tongs- You will need this to flip the chicken halfway through cooking.

    Meat thermometer- This is to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it's cooked to a temperature for it to be safe to eat.

    Bowl- To season the chicken with pesto.

    Plate- For serving.

    2 pesto chicken in air fryer.

    More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

    Check out these other air fryer chicken breast recipes you'll love:
    Air fryer bbq chicken breast

    Air fryer lemon chicken breast

    Marinated chicken in air fryer

    Air fryer chicken drumsticks

    Air fryer boneless chicken breast

    Chicken leg quarters in air fryer

    Air fryer chicken katsu

    If you find this air fryer pesto chicken breast recipe helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave a comment below.

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    pesto chicken breast sliced and served on a plate.

    Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Breast

    Kemi
    This air fryer Pesto chicken breast recipe is simple, quick, and ready in under 20 minutes. Pesto chicken breast in air fryer is packed full of flavor, juicy, and tender and every bite is delicious. Let me show you how to make it.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 18 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 2
    Calories 229 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Chicken Breast Boneless
    • 2-3 tablespoon Pesto
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and add to a plate or bowl.
    • Add in the black pepper, salt, and Pesto. Rub the Pesto and seasoning all over the chicken covering every side.
    • Arrange the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Ensure you leave space between the chicken and they are not touching.
    • Air fry chicken pesto at 400F/200C for 9 minutes, then use tongs to flip the chicken and continue to air fry for another 8-9 minutes or until they are cooked and the internal temperature reaches at least 165F when checked with an instant thermometer.
    • Bring out the chicken from the air fryer. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes then serve. Enjoy.

    Notes

    • Use a mallet to pound the chicken if you prefer or cut it into cutlets.
    • Use more Pesto if you like. The amount recommended above coats the chicken nicely however you can make it yours by adjusting it to suit your taste.
    • Add smoked paprika for a smokey flavor.
    • No extra oil is needed for this recipe as Pesto sauce is made with olive oil.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 33gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 314mgPotassium: 555mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 347IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Air fryer chicken pesto, air fryer pesto chicken, Air fryer pesto chicken breast
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    Hi, I'm Kemi,

    Welcome to ChickenVibes. Here on Chicken Vibes, you will find easy, tasty chicken recipes that i and my family make and eat.

    you'll find easy chicken recipes that are delicious and mostly quick! If you are looking for the best recipes, this is the place for you. 

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    You will love it here as we promise to post only tested, true, and trusted recipes that don't compromise on taste. 

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