If you need a quick and easy dinner that’s also delicious and family-friendly, look no further than air fryer pesto chicken! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, as it can be made in under 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients. All you need is chicken breasts or thighs, pesto sauce (store bought or homemade) and a little bit of oil. That’s it! Pesto air fryer chicken is a great way to get a healthy and flavorful meal on the table quickly and easily. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as you can cook the chicken ahead of time and then reheat it when you’re ready to eat.
Why You’ll Love This Pesto Chicken
It’s an easy meal that can be made in less than 30 minutes!
This pesto chicken is perfect for busy weeknights.
It’s kid-friendly!
This meal can easily be made gluten free and dairy free.
It is a high-protein option!
This meal is a great option for meal prep.
You only need 2 ingredients for this recipe!
Equipment Needed
All you need for this recipe is an air fryer and a bowl.
Ingredients Needed
Pesto: Pesto is a quick and easy way to add flavor to chicken dishes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Feel free to use store bought pesto or make homemade pesto. I love this creamy macadamia nut pesto recipe. If you are dairy free, be sure to use dairy free pesto and if you are nut free, opt for a nut free option!
Chicken Thighs: I like to use high-quality and organic meat whenever I can. My favorite place to get my meat is ButcherBox because they have organic and high-quality options and it gets delivered right to your door! Feel free to use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs. You can also use chicken breast here, if you prefer!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Step 2: Place pesto in a bowl and fully coat chicken with it.
Step 3: Air fry chicken for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 4: Add extra pesto on top and enjoy!
Storage
If you’re storing the chicken for longer than 3-4 days, you can freeze it. Place the chicken in a freezer-safe bag or Tupperware. Freeze the chicken for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to reheat the chicken, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave on the defrost setting. Once the chicken is thawed, reheat it in the air fryer or in the oven until it is heated through.
How To Serve
Here are some ideas on how to serve air fryer pesto chicken:
- As a main course: Serve pesto chicken with a side of pasta, rice, or potatoes. You can also serve it with a side of vegetables, such as roasted broccoli, asparagus, or sweet potatoes.
- As an appetizer: Serve pesto chicken on skewers or in small cups. You can also serve it on bread or crackers.
- As a side dish: Serve pesto chicken alongside grilled or roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant or tomatoes. You can also serve it with a side of salad or bread.
Here are some specific ideas for what to serve with air fryer pesto chicken:
- Pasta: Pesto chicken pairs well with a variety of different pastas, such as spaghetti, penne or linguine. You can also serve it with a gluten free pasta, such as quinoa pasta, brown rice pasta or chickpea pasta.
- Rice: Pesto chicken is delicious served over white rice, brown rice or wild rice.
- Potatoes: Pesto chicken can be served with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes or baked potatoes.
- Vegetables: Pesto chicken pairs well with a variety of different vegetables, such as roasted broccoli, asparagus, sweet potatoes or zucchini. You can also serve it with a side salad or a vegetable stir-fry
Oven Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Spread pesto over chicken breasts. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
Recipe FAQ
Is pesto healthier than tomato sauce?
Whether pesto is healthier than tomato sauce depends on your individual dietary needs and preferences. Both pesto and tomato sauce can be part of a healthy diet, but they have different nutritional profiles.
Should you use pine nuts in pesto sauce?
Pine nuts are delicious in pesto sauce and can be a great option!
Can you make this recipe nut free?
Yes! You can make this recipe nut free by using a nut free pesto.
How can you make this chicken if you don’t have an air fryer?
Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Spread pesto over chicken breasts. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
Can I put raw chicken in the air fryer?
Yes! You can put raw chicken in the air fryer.
How do you keep chicken from drying out in the air fryer?
Using pesto can help keep the chicken from drying out in the air fryer!
Does chicken cook faster in an air fryer?
Yes, chicken cooks faster in the air fryer than in the oven. This is because the air fryer circulates hot air around the food, which cooks it evenly and quickly.
Is this pesto chicken low histamine?
This pesto chicken is low histamine if you use a low histamine pesto. I like to use my creamy macadamia nut pesto.
Can I make this recipe low fodmap?
Yes, this recipe can be made low fodmap if you use a pesto that is low fodmap! Try this low fodmap pesto.
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If you make this air fryer pesto chicken and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or TikTok.
Air Fryer Pesto Chicken
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 container pesto
- 6 chicken thighs (bone-in)
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Place pesto in a bowl and fully coat chicken with it.
- Air fry chicken for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
- Add extra pesto on top and enjoy!
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