1-First Step: Preparation Start by gathering all your ingredients and equipment. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides. If the chicken breasts are very thick, consider pounding them to an even thickness for more consistent cooking. This also helps the chicken absorb more flavor from the sauce. Proper prep work makes cooking more enjoyable and ensures you don’t miss any ingredients.

2-Second Step: Cooking the Chicken Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the seasoned chicken breasts to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Don’t overcrowd the pan if necessary, cook in batches to ensure proper browning. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

3-Third Step: Creating the Sauce Base Reduce the heat to medium. In the same pan, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These browned bits add incredible depth of flavor to your creamy pesto sauce. Let the broth simmer for 2-3 minutes to slightly reduce.

4-Fourth Step: Building the Creamy Pesto Sauce Add the pesto sauce to the pan and stir to combine with the broth. Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. The sauce is ready when it coats the back of a spoon. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

5-Fifth Step: Finishing Touches Return the chicken to the pan, spooning the creamy pesto sauce over the top. If using cherry tomatoes, add them now and cook for 2-3 minutes until they just start to blister. Let everything simmer together for 2-3 more minutes so the flavors meld. If serving with pasta, cook it according to package instructions while the sauce simmers, then add it to the pan and toss to coat.