Keto Pesto Chicken Recipe

Make these delicious, protein packed Keto Pesto Chicken Roll-ups using just 3 simple ingredients, with hardly any effort at all!

This post was originally published on March 2, 2018 and has been updated with fresh images, content and a video, though the recipe remains perfectly the same.

I wrote this Keto Pesto Chicken recipe just about 3 years ago and still make it all the time! It’s the best when boneless skinless breasts are on sale because then I’ve got a super easy dish up my sleeve for all these busy work/school days.

Besides, I’m kinda obsessed with pesto, especially when it’s combined with melty cheese, juicy chicken and once in a while, crispy bacon! I hope you love this Keto Pesto Chicken Recipe as much as we do.

Ingredients

Chicken – We use boneless skinless chicken breast in this recipe, though you could do the same thing with boneless skinless chicken thighs. You can usually save a few bucks by buying chicken breast with the bone in and skin on, and then removing the bone and skin yourself.

Pesto – I usually buy pesto from the grocery store because it’s fast, simple and delicious, though you could always make your own.

Aged Cheddar – My favourite with chicken, any aged cheddar works great. You can switch it up by using your own favourite cheese such as blue, havarti, mozzarella or gouda.

How to make baked chicken pesto roll-ups

Heat oven to 375°. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken breasts from the center out, until they are fairly thin.

Lay the chicken breasts top side down, so that the underside is exposed. Divide the pesto between the two breasts and spread it all around, then sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over top.

Roll the breasts up and then place them in the baking dish with the seam down. Top each Keto Chicken Pesto Rollup with the paprika and sea salt. If wrapping in bacon, see note 1.

Cover the dish with tin foil (unless baking with bacon) and bake for 20 minutes, remove the tin foil and then bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature has reached 165°.

Serve hot with Mashed Cauliflower or the best Keto Green Beans you’ve ever tried. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

1. Not a lot pairs better with chicken, pesto and cheddar than bacon! Wrap each Keto Pesto Chicken Rollup with two pieces of bacon before placing inside the baking dish. Bake uncovered so that the bacon can crisp up.
2. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure your chicken has cooked to the safe internal temperature of 165°.
3. These Keto Pesto Chicken Rollups reheat and freeze great, and are also yummy on a green salad with Ranch Dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is store bought pesto Keto?

Pesto is made with simple ingredients, all naturally Keto friendly. I buy it from the grocery store, but you can always make it from scratch if you want to be sure the proper oils and healthy ingredients are used.

How do you eat pesto without pasta?

Pesto Chicken with pasta is the most traditional way of enjoying pesto with lunch or dinner.

However, There are lots of delicious ways you can add a little pesto into your life to flavor it up. Add it to your Sugar Free Pizza Sauce, or use it straight up as the base for pizza on a Fathead Pizza Crust or Chicken Pizza Crust.

Mix a little into your favourite Vinaigrette, use it as a sandwich spread on Chaffles or Keto Flatbread sandwiches. Pesto is totally delicious when rolled up into meats such as this Keto Pesto Chicken, Stuffed Flank Steak or Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Thighs!

What sides go well with pesto chicken?

There are so many awesome recipes to try with this Keto Pesto Chicken Rollup. Try it with Mashed Cauliflower and Green Beans, or Cauliflower Rice and Skillet Broccolini.

I also love it paired with a simple green salad, or zucchini noodles tossed in extra pesto sauce and Keto Garlic Bread on the side.

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Aleta

Keto Pesto Chicken Rollup

5 from 7 votes

Juicy chicken breast rolled up with pesto and cheese, this Keto Pesto Chicken Rollup is a family favourite, especially when wrapped in bacon!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 2 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Canadian, Low Carb

Calories: 440

Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup pesto *see note 1
• ½ cup aged cheddar grated *see note 2
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp sea salt

Optional

• 4 thin slices bacon

Method

 

Equipment Needed

1. Meat mallet
2. Baking dish
3. Digital meat thermometer

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken breasts from the center out, until they are fairly thin.
2. Lay the chicken breasts top side down, so that the underside is exposed. Divide the pesto between the two breasts and spread it all around, then sprinkle the cheddar evenly over top.
3. Roll the breasts up and then place them in the baking dish with the seam down. Top each Keto Pesto Chicken Rollup with the paprika and sea salt. *If wrapping in bacon, see note 3.
4. Cover the dish with tin foil (unless baking with bacon) and bake for 20 minutes, remove the tin foil and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature has reached 165° *see note 4.
5. Serve hot with Mashed Cauliflower and/or The Best Keto Green Beans.

Video

Notes

1. I always buy pesto from the grocery store because it’s fast, simple and delicious, or you could always make your own!
2. Aged cheddar cheese is my favourite with chicken. You can switch it up by using your own favourite cheese such as blue, havarti, mozza or gouda.
3. Not a lot pairs better with chicken, pesto and cheddar than bacon! Wrap each Keto Pesto Chicken Rollup with two pieces of bacon before placing inside the baking dish. Bake uncovered so that the bacon can crisp up.
4. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure your chicken has cooked to the safe internal temperature of 165°.
5. These Keto Pesto Chicken Rollups reheat and freeze great, and are also yummy on a green salad with Ranch Dressing.

 

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts are an estimate only! The ingredients you choose could have different nutritional values than the ingredients I have used.  

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