Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken

Thank you to Mezzetta for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to create holiday memories in the kitchen.

When it comes to food, the holidays are all about classic comfort dishes that bring back fond memories. For me, nothing is more comforting than a skillet full of juicy chicken simmering away in a creamy pesto sauce. Mmmm… did I have you at pesto?? If so, then you’re going to be really happy when I mention that this dish has not one, but two different types of pesto!

I created this Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken recipe to serve at our annual Christmas Eve dinner- a special tradition in our family. In year’s past (before we had two little rascals running around), we held an annual Christmas Eve party where Shaun and I would spend all day cooking up a delicious multi-course meal to serve our family and friends. Nothing was off limits and we tried to come up with unusual and delicious dishes like apple and fennel salad, rutabaga and sweet potato soup, fig stuffed turkey breast, and one of my favorites- parsnip gratin.

We haven’t had the party in a few years, but still keep up the tradition of a special Christmas Eve dinner (followed by a drive around town to check out the Christmas lights). Last year Shaun made our dinner extra special by cooking up a delicious fillet of local Rockfish. This year, I want to take the lead and make a dish that our whole family will enjoy. I pondered for awhile on what to make but then it hit me. Pesto. And cream. Ohh and sun dried tomatoes! I started with these savory ingredients and before I knew it, I had a skillet of this Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken simmering away.

Making your own pesto is great in the summertime when fresh local basil is abundant, but in the winter, that’s not so easy. Fortunately, my local grocery store carries Mezzetta products, so I can enjoy delicious pesto all year long (here’s a coupon so you can try Mezzetta pesto too)! Mezzetta carries traditional basil pesto as well as sun dried tomato pesto. They are both so flavorful and made with produce picked fresh from the sun drenched soils of California and the Mediterranean Coast. This also saves time when preparing meals during the hectic holiday season- added bonus for us busy moms!

I love our Christmas Eve family dinners, and I can’t wait for this year’s (which I just realized is in exactly TWO WEEKS)! I know we’ll make lots of special memories this holiday season (and eat lots of Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken)!

What’s your favorite holiday memory? Is it decorating the tree? Singing (slightly off-key) Christmas carols? Or do your memories revolve around food (like mine do)? Share your favorite holiday moment with Mezzetta today for your chance to win one of their Daily Holiday Gift Baskets! Entering the contest is easy and there will be a new winner every day through the month of December.