Pesto Chicken Tray

Basil pesto chicken with roasted cherry tomatoes and zucchini

• Prep: 18 min
• Cook: 28 min
• Serves 8
• Difficulty: easy

Chicken thighs roast with cherry tomatoes and zucchini, brushed with basil pesto until golden and fragrant.

Why crews like it: Summer flavors year-round. One tray, minimal cleanup, and the kitchen smells incredible.

Ingredients

• 16 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
• 2 lb cherry tomatoes
• 3 large zucchini
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 cup fresh basil

Instructions

1. Heat oven and prep vegetables: Heat oven to 425°F. Toss tomatoes and zucchini with olive oil, salt, and pepper on two half-sheets until lightly coated.
2. Season chicken: Pat thighs dry, season with salt and pepper. Nest skin-side up among vegetables with space between pieces for air circulation.
3. Initial roast: Roast 18 minutes until chicken skin renders fat and turns lightly golden while tomatoes begin to soften at edges.
4. Brush with pesto: Brush pesto over chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle parmesan. Roast 10–12 more minutes until chicken hits 165°F and pesto edges caramelize.
5. Garnish and serve: Top with fresh basil. Tomatoes should burst with juice; zucchini tender with slight bite at center.

Tonight's spread

• Creamy polenta in a baking dish.
• Arugula salad with lemon.

Hall tips

• Thin pesto with 1 tbsp olive oil if too thick to brush evenly.
• Serve over polenta or pasta for a fuller plate.
• Sun-dried tomato pesto swap works if basil pesto is unavailable.

Meal prep

Use store pesto or make a batch ahead. Zucchini adds moisture—do not skip. Station: Brush pesto last 12 minutes—early application burns basil. Station: Cut zucchini thick so it roasts, not steams, under chicken. Station: Finish with fresh basil at the line for bright color.

Leftovers

• Slice chicken into pesto pasta next day.
• Chop into a wrap with extra pesto and mozzarella.

• Two half-sheet pans
• Pastry brush

Related recipes

• Lemon Garlic Chicken Tray
• Baked Salmon Tray
• Chicken Fajitas
• Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
• White Bean Chicken Chili
• Barbacoa Chicken

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