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.
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?
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.
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.
Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts,
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees with the rack in the upper third.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Allow to cool for 3 minutes, then serve. Is especially good served with my 15 minute creamy pesto pasta.
Notes
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57 Comments on “Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken Parmesan”
Wow, this chicken looks so delicious! I love meals like this. Yeah, that girl was totally rude. Who cares if she has to process a return…isn’t that her job? So rude.
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!
I love Parmesan cheese, but have actually never thought of trying it with crispy chicken before. Silly me! I shall repent my ways by dabbling into this recipe. On the to-do list this goes! Thanks for the share. <3
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! :)
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
how true….I realize this thread is almost 5 years old…& I hope that that salesperson found her calling (in a different profession), because comments like that belong only in your head
Couldn’t agree more! Big hugs Mary!
UGH! How rude! I like your idea of consoling though. This chicken would put a smile on my face! Pinned!
It’s always a relief when someone with obvious extpreise answers. Thanks!
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!
Oh yum, this looks so good and so easy! I have so much pesto that I made this summer sitting my freezer, so I will definitely have to try this!
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!
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! :)
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?!
I aprcapiete you taking to time to contribute That’s very helpful.
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!
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!
Hi Natalie, making this for dinner tonight, looks great!
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.
It’s a relief to find sooemne who can explain things so well
My favorite reply to rude people – “Oh I’m sorry, you are having a bad day – hope it gets better!” Big cheesy smile :)
BTW this chicken looks fabulous – can’t get enough pesto for this girl!
Kathi
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!
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.
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!
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. :)