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Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan

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Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan

I do a majority of my clothes shopping online. It’s just easier for me. I hate schlepping all around the mall, trying on clothes in those dressing rooms with lighting from hell. Plus, I’m the queen of online promo codes. Most things I buy work great, but there are always a few things that don’t work and have to go back. Yesterday, I went to return a few things at the store, and I think the Gap sales girl was being rude to me? Help me decide.

I walk up to the counter with my items, which are obviously in an “online order” shipping bag. As soon as I get to the counter she says semi sweetly, semi condescendingly, “Do you return everything you buy online?” Kind of weird, right? So I reply, “No, just the things that don’t work.” She answers by saying, “I never buy anything online, because I hate to be that person returning them to the store.” Ummm, ok? My receipt clearly says I can return online items to the store. Not sure what the big deal is.

Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan

On an order invoice that was 3 pages long, I only returned 3 jeans and 2 shirts. As she’s scanning them in she asks me, “So, is this what you do at work all day when you’re bored? Buy things online and then return them?” Huh? I just looked at her with a raised eyebrow, confused. Is she being rude? Or is this her version of chit chat? It feels kind of rude. I think she is return shaming me! I didn’t answer her. She then got really quiet, and looked down. I couldn’t wait to get out of that store.

After I left, I kept thinking of things I should have said. I can always think of great comebacks after the fact. But in the end, I’m glad I just kept quiet. Not worth my time or energy to get worked up over her.

What would you have done?

{Recipe video!}

After I got home, I consoled myself by making this healthy but comforting crispy baked pesto chicken parmesan. I just love this recipe! It’s similar to the chicken parmesan you serve with red sauce, but with pesto. And healthy because it is baked instead of fried.

The chicken breast is smothered in a creamy pesto sauce, and then topped with a crispy, crunchy mixture of panko bread crumbs and parmesan. Throw it in the oven to bake, and it is ready for you in 20 minutes. I’ve had a few chicken parmesan recipes where you cut into the chicken and the whole crispy coating comes off. Not this pesto chicken parmesan. The panko and parmesan mixture stays put as you cut into it, giving you a crispy crunch with every bite.

Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan

It is a great weeknight meal you can have ready in a snap. Serve it with this 15 creamy pesto pasta, and you will be in pesto heaven. Oh, it’s just so good! You should probably make this for dinner soon.

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Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan

★★★★★ 4.9 from 10 reviews
  • Author: Tastes Lovely
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees with the rack in the upper third.
  2. In a small bowl, stir to combine the mayonnaise and pesto. In a separate small bowl, toss to combine the panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
  3. Using a meat mallet (or I use my metal soup ladle), lightly pound the chicken until it is an even thickness. This will make the chicken cook evenly, and help the panko parmesan topping adhere.
  4. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Evenly spread the pesto mixture on the top of each chicken breast, then top with panko parmesan topping. Lightly press the topping into the pesto mixture, then drizzle with olive oil. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature** of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
  5. Allow to cool for 3 minutes, then serve. Is especially good served with my 15 minute creamy pesto pasta.

Notes

*This may sound weird, but the mayonnaise makes the chicken so creamy and moist. You’ll love it, I promise!
**I love using my meat thermometer. It’s a kitchen gadget I can’t live without. Now I never worry about undercooking or overcooking meat. Highly recommend!

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Lovely comments so far...

  1. Uhhh…what?! I’m not sure what I would have done in a situation like that! So rude! Sounds like somebody hates her job or something??
    And this chicken…omg you basically piled all the things I love into one gorgeous chicken dish. Pesto, parmesan AND breading?! I am so putting this on my dinner menu for next week! Pinned. :)

    Reply

  2. This chicken looks amazing. I love the added pesto flavour and the crispy coating! And I totally do the majority of my shopping online, too… especially for the little ones! It’s SO much easier than trying to try things on them in the store!

    Reply

  3. Ooh, this chicken looks delicious! I love the idea of using pesto instead of a red sauce with chicken parmesan — yum.

    And yes, I think the cashier was totally being rude. What the heck? They’re a business, you bought clothing that doesn’t work and you’d like to return it . . . why the return-shaming? I can’t say I would have had any snappy comeback, but I would have been tempted to mention that no, I don’t shop at my job *because I am working* and actually have something important to do . . . grrr.

    Reply

  4. Woah, what a rude sales person! Can’t believe she had the nerve to say those things to you. Hopefully this chicken made you feel a little better because it looks incredible! I’m a huge fan of anything with pesto, so I’m loving this combination!

    Reply

  6. This chicken looks so good. I will have to make it for ken one day this week. I made chicken with panko crust this past week and when you cut into it, the panko all fell off. I am going to have to try this. Your videos are so good.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  8. Wow so rude… I totally agree with Sarah “sounds like somebody hates her job or something”…

    Nat, I love your recipe. They looks so delicious and crispy too!! I am sure my husband will love this recipe!! Yummy, yummy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  9. Oh my goodness, seriously??? I can’t believe she had the nerve to say that to you! That was so so rude!! Sorry that happened to you :(
    This chicken looks absolutely incredible though! I love the pesto and it looks perfectly crispy! Pinning!

    Reply

  10. Oh I am horrible in awkward and uncomfortable situations. I probably would have lost my cool or walked out I am not such which. That is crazy! Maybe she was just having an off day and nothing was coming out right…maybe?!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  11. OOOOHHH, that sales lady had a major chip on her shoulder for online shoppers! Clearly she gets too many returns, but hey, she is getting paid for it? This chicken is quite the consolation — so crispy and golden brown! Worth the rudeness! :)

    Reply

  12. Well, firstly, Natalie, this looks and sounds sooo delicious – definitely my kind of a recipe for a week-night – or any night, really!
    Secondly, yup, she was being rude in my opinion. I’m not sure if I would have done this (because I’m like you and hardly ever think of something good to say at the time), but when I do think of it I like to be really direct these days. I think the best thing to say would have been something like ‘So do you think it’s a bad thing to order online and bring them back to the store, then? Is that what you’re suggesting?’ As I say, though, I probably wouldn’t have in reality … Best thing to do is to not let these things get to you. But I know, it’s hard not to keep thinking about it!

    Reply

  14. I would be pretty offended if someone said something like that to me. But, people who feel the need to do stuff like that are just not happy with themselves. I despise people like that!

    At least you ended up with a delicious dinner after the ordeal. This looks incredible, definitely pinning this one!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  16. This chicken!!! This is my kind of comfort food! Pesto = <3 I *love* that it's baked, too!

    As for the sales lady – karma's a bitc…you know. :) What a weirdo! I buy most of my clothing online and make some returns from time to time. Obviously I don't buy a bunch of clothes simply to return them. That's just ridiculous haha

    Reply

  17. First of all, this chicken looks amazing! I love chicken parmesan and I love pesto, so it’s the perfect combination.

    Second, you have have have to report that sales girl. I would have called a manager right away. Who does she think she is to talk to you like that? Send an email to GAP explaining the whole thing and you might even get some kind of compensation for that! :)

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  19. Chicken looks oh so yummy!

    And you did great! I tend not to be the controversial type. So I would have kept quiet as well. Seems to me like she was making small talk but just didn’t have a clue about how do it without being rude. Geez. Some people apparently need some ‘nice’lessons before being able to work in customer service.

    Have a beautiful weekend, friend!

    Reply

  21. Yikes! I hope that she was just having a bad day because that was rude. I buy almost all of my clothes online because I hate going to the store. I actually just return them by mail because I would rather not deal with sales people. Love this recipe! I know what I want for dinner now!

    Reply

  23. Wow what a rude woman! She needs to find another job because she sounds miserable! I wouldn’t take it personally :-) This chicken looks so yummy, love that you used panko bread crumbs to make it nice and crispy. I just bought a ton of chicken b/c it was on sale, I’ll have to make this!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  24. I’m the worst at online shopping! I never get the sizes right and I hate sending things back so I usually just end up with things that are either too small or too big! My husband is always requesting breaded chicken and I never make it for him, haha! This recipes looks awesome though and I think he would love it :)

    Reply

  26. How totally rude! I probably would have just kept quiet too. Some people like to try and get a rise out of other people and they don’t like to be ignored.
    I am loving this chicken! I Love how chicken tastes coated with mayonnaise. I know the pesto must make it taste even better!

    Reply

  27. This chicken looks delish! I totally love that the coating doesn’t fall off when you cut it. It’s such a bummer when that happens.

    As for the Gap girl. Perhaps she was {awkwardly} trying to make small talk and finding some way to connect with you…but she fell short. Way short. Good for you for not retorting with a comeback. If it were me, the urge would have been great, for sure. You kept your energy positive! Hope she finds a better way to converse with customers. And keep doin’ what you do as far as online shopping goes. I hear you. Trying on clothes in the store is not much fun at all!

    Reply

    • Mary, This recipe for carrots sounds very nice! Dieffrent too… We'll have to give it a try. My favorite cooked carrots todate are those that are cooked in with a beef pot roast. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

      Reply

  28. Made this tonight – it was delicious, and a great way to use up the basil from my garden before the weather gets cold (if it EVER gets cold here in central California! :P ).

    As for the chick at the Gap – RUDE! I think I’d report her to a manager for the attitude!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • I am so happy to hear that Amy! Thanks for letting me know! You just made my night. It’s one of my favorite dinner recipes lately. And so lucky that you have your own basil in your garden! I’ve had such bad luck in my garden. Have a great rest of your night!

      Reply

  29. This dish was AMAZING!!! I found this recipe yesterday and made it last night along with the 15 minute creamy pesto pasta. It was so fast and delicious. My family loved it. My kids want me to make it every night. LOL. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • I am so happy to hear that Mahogany! This is one of my favorites. I even grew extra basil in my garden this year so I’ll always have lots of pesto on hand. Thank you for letting me know you liked my recipe! You just made my day!

      Reply

  30. I made this last night and it was incredible!! No panko on hand so I roughly crushed some extreme cheddar goldfish (no shame parent here…lol) and skipped the parmesan because, well, it was already extreme! Served it with chopped mushroom and homemade veggie broth rice and roasted brussels sprouts. Perfect for a drizzly, fall day in Colorado! Thank you!

    ★★★★

    Reply

    • I am so excited to hear that! And using extreme cheddar goldfish instead of panko? Genius! I need to try that next time! The cheesier the better. You sound like my kind of mom : ) You are so nice to take the time to let me know you liked my recipe. You just made my day Savannah!

      Reply

  31. I made this tonight for my family, and my husband said it was the best meal he’s had in a long time. Thanks!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  32. I knew I wanted to cook “Chicken+Pesto+Parmesan” for dinner tonight when I got home from work. So I googled and you website is the first link I clicked on.

    It hurt my heart to read about your Gap (anti)customer service! I am a manager at my Gap (in Houston). You should not have merely even thought about feeling that way! How awful!

    Personally, I do not shop online, mainly bc I’m very picky about fabrics and fits. I SWEAR by trying things on. But I also study fashion design, and know how clothing is manufactured these days, and sometimes… you get a wonky one. To me, shopping online is like letting someone else pick my produce at the grocery store.

    This sales associate obviously doesn’t understand the reality of online shopping or the workings of the business. It is unfortunate that it’s winning the majority, and Gap.com and Gap (brick and mortar) are rivals in the Gap Inc. Corporation. But Gap store locations are funded (in full) for online returns.

    By you returning an online purchase, they basically throw us the money we need for having an employee there to receive and return.

    Hopefully she was just having an awful day, but it sounds like she just might be having an awful life.

    I deeply apologize for her attitude, from an off the clock Gapee.

    Also, I’m going to enjoy preparing this recipe!!!

    <3

    Reply

    • Awww, you’re so sweet Whitney! What a great employee representative of Gap! This was really wonderful to read and enlightening. I had no idea gap.com and gap stores were rivals. Good to know, since I do almost all of my shopping online. I should go out and support the stores more often. And don’t worry, the incident didn’t phase me. I do almost all of my shopping at Gap stores (Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta).

      Hope you loved the recipe! This is such a favorite that I really miss since giving up dairy.

      Big hugs!

      Reply

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