Basil Pesto Grilled Chicken Food

EASY GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to 425 degrees. Brush the basil pesto evenly on each chicken breast. Be sure to put pesto on both sides of chicken.
• Reduce heat to medium, about 350 degrees, and place chicken on the grill. Cook about 5-6 minutes per side. Internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees.
• Let chicken rest about 5 minutes to let the juices settle. Slice and serve
• Preheat the oven to 375° degrees. Coat a medium-sized casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
• Brush the basil pesto evenly on each chicken breast. Be sure to put pesto on both sides of the chicken.
• Place chicken into the prepared casserole dish.
• Place in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken will be 165° when chicken is cooked through.
• Serve chicken with your favorite sides, enjoy.

GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
• Halve the chicken breasts crosswise and pound each piece between two sheets of plastic wrap to an even thickness of about 3/4 inch. Toss the chicken pieces with the crushed red pepper, fennel seed, 1 tablespoon of the oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Brush the insides of the rolls with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
• Grill the chicken, turning once, until just cooked through, 8 to 9 minutes per side. During the last few minutes of cooking time, top each piece of chicken with a slice of mozzarella. Grill the rolls, oiled side down, until warmed and lightly charred, about 1 minute.
• Spread some pesto on the bottom halves of the rolls. Top with a slice of tomato, a piece of chicken, the remaining pesto and the top halves of the rolls.
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GRILLED CHICKEN WITH AVOCADO PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare an outdoor grill or a grill pan for medium heat.
• Whisk together 1 tablespoon of the oil and the lemon zest in a large bowl. Add the chicken to the oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide the chicken and thread onto metal or bamboo skewers.
• Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently, until light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool.
• Combine the pine nuts, basil, parsley, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a food processor. Process to make a coarse paste. Add the avocado, lemon juice and remaining 3 tablespoons oil and process until mostly smooth.
• Grill the chicken, turning often, until just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve the chicken dolloped with the pesto and any extra pesto on the side.

GRILLED PESTO-MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix together pesto, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pepper, and salt in a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Cook chicken on the preheated grill over indirect heat until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk 1/3 cup of oil, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, fennel seeds, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken and seal the bag. Massage the marinade into the chicken. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day, turning the chicken occasionally.
• Meanwhile, blend the basil, garlic, lemon peel, remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a blender until smooth. Gradually blend in the remaining 1/3 cup oil. Season the basil sauce, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
• Prepare the barbecue for medium-high heat or preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade. Discard the marinade. Grill the chicken until just cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to serving plates, drizzle with the basil sauce and serve.

BASIL PESTO GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl or zip top bag. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the marinade over the chicken and allow to sit for 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat the grill on high.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade.
• Place the chicken on the grill skin side down and cook for 4-5 minutes. If the fat rendering from the chicken causes flare ups, turn the heat to low.
• When the skin is crisp, flip the chicken over and continue cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes.
• Turn the heat to low (if you have already done so) and close the lid.
• Continue to grill the chicken for an additional 4-5 minutes on each side or until the chicken registers 185˚F on an instant read thermometer when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.)
• Transfer the chicken to a platter and rest for 5-10 minutes.
• Serve with chopped Basil, if desired.

GRILLED BASIL-AND-GARLIC-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat outdoor grill.
• For sauce, in a small bowl combine lemon zest, lemon juice and one tablespoon melted butter. Set aside.
• For stuffing, in a small bowl, combine parmesan, basil, one tablespoon butter, and garlic. Set aside.
• Place each chicken piece between 2 pieces of plastic wrap.
• Use the flat side of a meat mallet (or the heel of your palm) to pound chicken into rectangles about 1/8-inch thick.
• Remove plastic wrap and spread stuffing on chicken.
• Fold in sides of each chicken breast and roll up, securing with a toothpick.
• Grill over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink.
• Brush sauce over chicken during the last 10 minutes of grilling.

BASIL PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO CREAM

Steps:

• For Pesto, wash basil and remove stems. In food processor mix basil, garlic, pine nuts, pepper and Parmesan. Blend until smooth and slowly add oil.
• Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. Place one slice prosciutto and 1 T. pesto on chicken breast. Tuck in ends and roll jelly style. Secure with toothpicks.
• Drizzle with 2 T. lemon juice, chopped garlic and olive oil. You may either grill these or bake at 350 for 30 minute.
• While breasts are cooking make basil cream.
• Sauté shallots in butter. Add wine and bring to a boil.
• Cook until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup Add cream and return to boil. Cook 8- 10 minute or until sauce is reduced to 1 cup.
• Whisk continually, add tomatoes and cook 2 minute Whisk in basil and lemon.
• Cook until heated thoroughly. To thicken sauce add cornstarch mixture slowly.
• Remove toothpick and cut the chicken breasts in slices to show off the center. Drizzle the chicken with sauce.
• **Serve this with your choice of pasta and dbl the sauce, or when it's just Dereck and I, I only make 2 chicken breasts and there is enough sauce for our pasta.