Name: Parchment Baked Pesto Chicken & Potatoes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 large red potato, thinly sliced; 2 sheets of parchment paper (15x24 inches); Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 10 fresh basil leaves; 1 small onion, thinly sliced; 2 boneless, skinless chicken legs; 1/2 cup prepared pesto

Pesto Chicken

Pesto Chicken and Potatoes in Parchment Packets

Sep 11, 2025
by Adrien Ryanstokes
- 3.0 / 5 ( 1 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

20 mins
COOK TIME

1 hrs 10 mins
TOTAL TIME

1 hrs 35 mins
SERVING

2 People
VIEWS

3

Delight in the simplicity and elegance of pesto chicken and potatoes, steamed to perfection in individual parchment packets. This dish offers a burst of fresh flavors and a visually stunning presentation, all while ensuring effortless cleanup. A culinary experience that's both impressive and convenient!

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

1 large red potato, thinly sliced

2 sheets of parchment paper (15x24 inches)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

10 fresh basil leaves

1 small onion, thinly sliced

2 boneless, skinless chicken legs

1/2 cup prepared pesto

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

37 g
Cholesterol

102 mg
Fiber

6 g
Protein

39 g
Saturated Fat

10 g
Sodium

645 mg
Sugar

3 g
Fat

36 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). (5 minutes)

02

Step

Thinly slice the red potato (about 1/8-inch thick) and submerge in a bowl of cold water to prevent discoloration. (10 minutes)

03

Step

Fold each parchment paper sheet in half to create two 15x12-inch rectangles. (2 minutes)

04

Step

Drain the potato slices and arrange half of them on the inside fold of each parchment paper, forming an overlapping semicircle. Season with salt and pepper. Top with 5 basil leaves and half of the sliced onion on each arrangement. (15 minutes)

05

Step

Place a chicken leg over the onion slices on each parchment arrangement. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and generously top with pesto. (5 minutes)

06

Step

Carefully fold the parchment paper around the chicken and potatoes, starting from one end, to create tightly sealed packets. Transfer the packets to a baking sheet. Ensure the edges are well-sealed to trap the steam. (10 minutes)

07

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is fully cooked and the juices run clear, approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. (70 minutes)

08

Step

Remove the packets from the oven and let them rest on plates for 5 to 10 minutes before carefully opening and serving. The steam inside will be very hot! (10 minutes)

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine or chicken broth to each packet before sealing.
Ensure the parchment packets are well-sealed to create a steaming environment, which helps cook the chicken evenly and infuses it with flavor.
Feel free to substitute the chicken legs with chicken breasts, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. Thinner cuts may require less time.
Experiment with different types of pesto, such as sun-dried tomato pesto or kale pesto, to customize the flavor profile.

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Adrien Ryanstokes

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.