Pesto Parmesan Chicken

I am a sucker for pesto, and chicken is my meat of choice, so this was right up my ally!  I saw this on my friend's menu plan for the week and knew immediately I had to try it, too!  It comes from the Progresso Foods website.  This was my first time checking their site out, and there are a few things that look really tasty :)  This chicken is moist and has AMAZING flavor!  The only downside, it didn't get as crispy as I would have liked, I probably put too much of the pesto mixture on it!


Pesto Parmesan Chicken
From:  Progresso Foods 


4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb)
3 tablespoons basil pesto
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 cup Progresso® plain panko crispy bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan or Asiago cheese
Fresh basil leaves, if desired


Heat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. Between pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, place each chicken breast smooth side down; gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/2-inch thick.


In shallow dish, mix together pesto and mayonnaise. In another shallow dish mix together bread crumbs and cheese. Dip chicken into pesto mixture then dip in panko mixture. Place on baking sheet.


Bake 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (165°F) and coating is golden brown. Garnish with basil.