Keto Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet is a rich, flavorful 30-minute keto dinner made with tender chicken, pesto, cream, and Parmesan. This easy one-pan meal is perfect for busy nights, meal prep, and low-carb comfort food cravings. A quick, creamy, satisfying keto recipe.

About This Recipe

Keto Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet (30 Minutes) is a quick and flavorful one-pan dinner that delivers comfort, richness, and big Italian-inspired flavor with minimal effort. This recipe is designed for busy nights when you want something satisfying and delicious but don’t have time for complicated prep or long cooking times. The dish starts with searing bite-size chicken pieces until golden, locking in moisture and creating a savory base. Once the chicken is cooked, it simmers in a luxurious mixture of heavy cream, pesto, and Parmesan cheese. These ingredients melt together to create a thick, velvety sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.

Pesto adds an herbaceous, garlicky depth that works incredibly well in creamy sauces, making the dish taste like something from a restaurant without any of the fuss. Because pesto is already packed with basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan, it delivers instant flavor with no need for additional seasoning. A handful of spinach or cherry tomatoes can be added during the final simmer to bring color and freshness, though the dish is delicious with or without add-ins.

This recipe fits perfectly into keto and low-carb lifestyles because it’s high in healthy fats, moderate in protein, and naturally low in carbs. It pairs well with zoodles, cauliflower rice, or sautéed vegetables, making it versatile enough for weekly meal prep or a quick last-minute dinner. The sauce thickens as it simmers, creating a rich consistency that reheats exceptionally well. It’s a reliable option when you need something fast, comforting, and deeply flavorful without spending extra time in the kitchen.

Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding the family, or prepping meals ahead for the week, this creamy pesto chicken skillet is a dependable go-to recipe that brings warmth and convenience to your keto routine.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in 30 minutes
• One-pan convenience
• Rich and creamy pesto sauce
• Naturally keto and low-carb
• Perfect for busy weeknights
• Great for meal prep
• Minimal ingredients
• Big flavor with little effort

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Ingredients

For the Chicken Skillet

• 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the Creamy Pesto Sauce

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup basil pesto (sugar-free, store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 cups fresh spinach (optional add-in)

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Add chicken to the skillet and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
4. Reduce heat to medium and pour in heavy cream, pesto, and Parmesan.
5. Stir until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken.
6. Add red pepper flakes and optional spinach.
7. Simmer 3–5 minutes until the sauce is creamy and the spinach is wilted.
8. Serve hot.

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Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 425
• Fat: 30g
• Protein: 34g
• Net Carbs: 4g

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FAQ

• Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
  A: Yes, thighs stay extra juicy and work perfectly.
• Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
  A: No dairy-free version will mimic the cream-Parmesan sauce.
• Q: Can I substitute the pesto?
  A: You can use spinach pesto, kale pesto, or sun-dried tomato pesto.
• Q: Will this work for meal prep?
  A: Yes. It reheats very well and stays creamy.
• Q: Can I make it thicker?
  A: Simmer longer or add extra Parmesan.

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Variations & Substitutions

• Add cherry tomatoes for freshness
• Use chicken thighs for richer flavor
• Add mushrooms or zucchini
• Swap pesto for sun-dried tomato pesto
• Add more Parmesan for a thicker sauce
• Use ghee instead of olive oil

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve over cauliflower rice
• Pair with sautéed zucchini or broccoli
• Add on top of zoodles
• Serve with a simple green salad

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Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to hear from you — leave a comment below and tell me how it turned out, what you liked, or if you made any tweaks!

Try these next:

• Keto Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Casserole
• Keto Garlic Butter Chicken Meatball Bake

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