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Easy Pesto Chicken Flatbread Recipe Quick 40-Minute Dinner Idea.

Pesto Chicken Flatbread

Delicious flatbread topped with seasoned chicken, fresh basil pesto, melted mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1 pound total, pounded to even 1-inch thickness
  • 1 cup fresh basil pesto store-bought or homemade
  • 4 pieces flatbread naan, pita, or lavash
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese whole milk preferred
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated recommended
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large skillet
  • Baking sheet
  • Sharp knife or pizza cutter
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If your chicken breasts are thicker than 1 inch, place them between plastic wrap and gently pound to even thickness. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil moves freely across the pan and looks glossy. Add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes per side without moving, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
  3. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
  4. Lay out the flatbreads on a baking sheet. Spread about 1/4 cup of basil pesto over each piece, going right to the edges but keeping the layer relatively thin.
  5. Distribute the sliced chicken evenly over the pesto-covered flatbreads. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken, followed by halved cherry tomatoes, then top with grated Parmesan cheese.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and forming small bubbles, and the edges are golden brown. Optionally, switch to broil for the last 1-2 minutes for a crispy top, watching closely to prevent burning.
  7. Remove from the oven and let cool for a minute. Slice into quarters or halves and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Feel free to customize with grilled vegetables, roasted red peppers, or artichoke hearts. For best results, use whole milk mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven at 350°F for best texture. If chicken breasts are uneven thickness, pound them to 1 inch for even cooking.