What Cheese Goes with Pesto Chicken? (11 Cheeses)

When it comes to cheese, there’s no wrong answer.

Whether you’re in the mood for a creamy or a sharp cheese, there’s a cheese to fit the bill.

And pesto chicken is no exception.

Pesto chicken is an easy, weeknight-friendly meal that can be made in just minutes.

And because it’s so simple, you can mix and match different pestos to create your own unique flavor profile.

So what kind of cheese should you serve with pesto chicken?

Pesto chicken pairs well with a variety of cheeses, including mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta. If you want a mild flavor, try a milder cheese like mozzarella. For a more intense flavor, go for a stronger cheese like Parmesan. And for a creamy texture, try ricotta.

What Cheese Goes with Pesto Chicken

It depends on your personal preferences!

But whichever cheese you choose, make sure it pairs well with the pesto.

13 cheeses are listed below, but there are really limitless possibilities when it comes to pairing cheese with pesto chicken.

So experiment until you find the perfect combo for you!

Why Consider Pairing Cheese with Pesto Chicken?

Pesto Chicken

By pairing pesto chicken with cheese, you are able to create a dish that is both delicious and nutritious.

Pesto chicken is a great main course because it is simple to make but can be customized in many ways.

Adding cheese to the dish allows you to change up the flavor while still providing the nutrients your body needs.

Pesto chicken can also be paired with side dishes that are not typically associated with pesto chicken.

Some side dishes that work well with pesto chicken include mashed potatoes, green beans, and apple sauce.

By pairing cheese with pesto chicken, you are able to give your guests the best of both worlds- a delicious and nutritious meal.

What Cheese Goes with Pesto Chicken?

cheeses

Since it can be quite hard to figure out what cheese goes with what, we’ve decided to list our 13 favorite ones:

1. Feta

Feta

If you like a tangy, rich and slightly salty flavor with your chicken, then feta cheese is the perfect cheese to accompany your pesto chicken.

Simply crumble the feta cheese over the top of your cooked chicken and enjoy.

For a complete meal, serve with a side of roasted vegetables and a green salad.

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For an extra boost of flavor, add a sprinkle of fresh herbs to the cheese before serving.

If you’re still not sure what to make for dinner tonight, why not try something new and make pesto chicken with feta cheese?

It’s a quick and easy meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

And, with its vibrant green color, it’s also a beautiful dish to serve.

So, what are you waiting for?

Give it a try tonight!

2. Ricotta

Ricotta

For a creamy option, mix chicken pesto with ricotta cheese.

The mild taste of the cheese will complement the flavors of the pesto without overpowering them.

For a thinner consistency, add some milk to the mixture.

For a heartier dish, serve over pasta or rice.

Add a green salad on the side for a complete meal.

Other ingredients that would go well with this dish include: sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, artichoke hearts, and roasted red peppers.

You could also add some spice to the dish with crushed red pepper flakes.

3. Parmesan

Parmesan

Fruity, nutty, and savory, Parmesan cheese is the perfect complement to pesto chicken.

Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to your chicken pesto dish for a boost of flavor.

For a complete meal, serve pesto chicken with a side of roasted vegetables or a green salad.

For an extra special touch, top your dish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

To end off your meal on a cheesy note, try a classic Parmesan cheese and herb bread.

This bread is delicious when served warm, and makes a great accompaniment to any pesto chicken dish.

4. Mozzarella

Mozzarella

Simple? Yes.

Delicious? Also yes.

This dish is all about letting a few high-quality ingredients shine.

Pesto chicken is great on its own, but adding a little mozzarella takes it to the next level.

The cheese adds a creamy, slightly sour element that pairs perfectly with the earthy pesto.

If you’re looking for a complete meal, serve the chicken over a bed of greens or roasted vegetables.

A simple side of bread is also a great way to mop up any extra pesto sauce.

And of course, a glass of wine never hurt anyone.

Lastly, for a sweet ending, try topping the dish with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of dried fruit.

5. Cheddar

Cheddar Cheese

Sometimes you just want something sharp and pungent to go with your pesto chicken.

Cheddar cheese is the perfect choice for this dish, as its strong flavor will be a nice contrast to the more subtle flavors of the chicken and pesto.

You could also add some side dishes like roasted vegetables or a simple salad to round out the meal.

See also  What Cheese Goes with Goat Cheese? (9 Tasty Cheeses)

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, you could try adding some crumbled bacon or diced ham to the mix.

Whatever you choose, cheddar cheese is a great way to add some extra flavor to your pesto chicken.

6. Gruyere

Gruyere
  • Rich? Check.
  • Creamy? Check.
  • Salty? Check.
  • Nutty? Check.

Gruyere is the perfect cheese to pair with pesto chicken.

The key to making this dish shine is to use a good quality Gruyere cheese.

You want a cheese that has a strong flavor, but is not overwhelming.

A Gruyere that is too strong will overpower the pesto chicken and make it taste like chicken with cheese sauce.

The goal is to have the cheese complement the chicken, not compete with it.

When it comes to side dishes, anything goes.

A simple green salad is always a good option, but feel free to get creative.

One of our favorite side dishes to pair with pesto chicken is roasted Brussels sprouts.

The crispy outer leaves of the Brussels sprouts pair perfectly with the creamy Gruyere cheese sauce.

Other great side dish options include roasted potatoes, rice, or quinoa.

If you want to add a little something extra to the dish, try adding some chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pesto chicken.

The sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes pairs perfectly with the rich Gruyere cheese.

You can also add a touch of heat by adding some red pepper flakes to the pesto chicken.

7. Swiss

Swiss Cheese

For a sweet option, try Swiss cheese with your chicken.

The mild, nutty taste of Swiss cheese goes well with the flavorful pesto chicken.

Add some sautéed vegetables on the side, and you have a complete meal.

If you want a little more flavor, you can add some sun-dried tomatoes or olives to the mix.

If you’re still not satisfied, consider adding a side salad or some crusty bread.

And, of course, don’t forget the wine!

A light, fruity white pairs well with this dish.

8. Gouda

Gouda

Gouda is an interesting combination of flavors that can really complement the pesto chicken.

The richness of the cheese can help to balance out the more acidic flavors of the pesto, while the nutty taste can add an extra layer of flavor to the dish.

If you’re looking for a side dish to pair with this meal, consider something like roasted potatoes or a simple salad.

As for other ingredients, you could add some cooked bacon or pancetta to the chicken for an extra bit of flavor.

See also  What Veg Goes with Sweet and Sour Chicken? (11 Best Veggies)

9. Brie

Brie

Brie is usually eaten with crackers or bread, but it can also be used in recipes.

Pesto chicken is a great dish to pair with brie because the cheese can help to balance out the spiciness of the pesto.

For a complete meal, you could serve the chicken with a side of roasted vegetables and a salad.

If you want to add a bit more flavor to the dish, you could try topping the chicken with a balsamic glaze or adding some chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pesto.

10. Camembert

Camembert

Another quite interesting option for a cheese to go well with pesto chicken is Camembert.

This particular cheese is a bit more on the mushroomy and fruity side, but it can still bring a nice depth of flavour to the dish.

If you’re looking for a bit of a heartier meal, you could add some roasted potatoes and vegetables to the mix.

For a more simple option, some crusty bread would be delicious for dipping into the extra pesto sauce.

11. Roquefort

Roquefort

For a sharp and tangy take on pesto chicken, top your dish with some crumbled Roquefort cheese.

The salty flavor of the cheese will enhance the flavors of the pesto and chicken, and the creaminess of the cheese will balance out the dish.

Serve with some crusty bread on the side to mop up all the deliciousness.

For a heartier meal, add some boiled potatoes or roasted vegetables to the mix.

Pesto Chicken

What Cheese Goes with Pesto Chicken? (11 Cheeses)

Pairing cheese and pesto chicken is a great way to bring out the best in both of them. Cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many ways, but it's often used as a bit of extra flavor to add body to dishes. Pesto chicken is a great example of this—it's packed with flavor, but needs a little something extra to really shine.
When you pair pesto chicken with cheese, you get an amazing combination of flavors and textures that will keep your mouth watering until the last bite is gone.
Cheese pairs well with other foods because it has an umami taste (a savory, full-bodied flavor that makes us feel satisfied), which helps balance out the saltiness of the pesto sauce on your chicken breast or thigh. Pairing these two ingredients together also gives you some extra protein and fat from the cheese itself!
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Course Cheese
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Feta
  • Ricotta
  • Parmesan
  • Mozzarella
  • Cheddar
  • Gruyere
  • Swiss
  • Gouda
  • Brie
  • Camembert
  • Roquefort

Instructions
 

  • Pick any cheese from this list to pair with your chicken dish.
  • Prepare the rest of your delicious meal.
  • Enjoy in less than 11 minutes!
Keyword What Cheese Goes with Pesto Chicken