Description
Pepperoni & pesto chicken melt sizzles with Mediterranean charm, combining crispy air-fried chicken and melted cheese. Quick weeknight dinners become gourmet experiences when cheese drips and herbal pesto dances across golden chicken breasts you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Cheese and Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup pesto sauce
Toppings and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup pepperoni, sliced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Calibrate the air fryer to a precise 375F (190C) temperature for optimal cooking performance.
- Generously season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Lavishly coat each chicken breast with a vibrant layer of aromatic pesto sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
- Strategically layer slices of melty mozzarella cheese across the pesto-covered surface.
- Artfully arrange pepperoni slices on top of the cheese, creating a visually appealing and flavor-packed topping.
- Carefully position the prepared chicken breasts inside the air fryer basket, maintaining space between each piece.
- Lightly mist the chicken surfaces with olive oil spray to enhance browning and crispiness.
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, rotating midway through cooking to ensure even heat distribution and thorough cooking.
- Verify internal chicken temperature reaches 165F (74C) using a meat thermometer for food safety.
- Allow chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to retain moisture and maximize flavor intensity.
- Plate immediately and serve while the cheese is melted and pepperoni is slightly crisp.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are even thickness for consistent cooking by gently pounding them before seasoning.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier melt, or swap with provolone or Swiss cheese for different flavor profiles.
- Pat chicken dry before adding pesto to help seasonings adhere better and prevent excess moisture.
- For low-carb option, replace pepperoni with turkey pepperoni or skip meat entirely for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 515 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 810 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg