Chicken With Pesto And Parmesan Food

BALSAMIC-GLAZED STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PESTO AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cut a pocket 3/4 of the way through the thickest side of each chicken breast. Season chicken with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Pour 1 teaspoon sun-dried tomato oil on each breast, rubbing it and some of the seasoning inside each pocket. Fill each breast with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons basil pesto, 2 teaspoons sun-dried tomatoes, and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Insert 3 to 4 toothpicks diagonally into each breast to seal.
• Heat remaining 2 teaspoons sun-dried tomato oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add stuffed chicken breasts and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
• While the chicken is cooking, mix together balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic in a small bowl. Pour into the skillet around the chicken. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the balsamic glaze has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Spoon some glaze over each breast.
• Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and cook until cheese has melted and chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove toothpicks and drizzle with pan juices to serve.

PESTO PARMESAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• 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.

BAKED PESTO PARMESAN CHICKEN WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan with foil and then lightly grease the foil.
• Trim excess fat and remove the skin from the chicken, if desired. Sprinkle the chicken pieces lightly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and place in the prepared pan.
• Combine the pesto, garlic, and lemon juice; rub the mixture evenly over the chicken pieces. Cover the pan tightly with foil and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Heat the oven to 375 F.
• Remove the foil and drizzle the chicken breasts lightly with olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until chicken is cooked. Juices will run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork. The minimum safe temperature for chicken is 165 F (USDA Guidelines).
• Sprinkle with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese and continue baking for about 2 to 3 minutes longer. Optional Homemade Pesto
• Combine 2 cups of fresh basil leaves and about 1/3 cup of pine nuts in a food processor. Pulse 5 to 7 times to chop the basil finely. Add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic and pulse 4 or 5 times more. With the processor running, add 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a steady stream. Transfer the pesto to a bowl. Taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper, as desired.
• Store fresh pesto in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for about 1 week. If you won't be using the pesto right away. A thin layer of olive oil drizzled over the pesto will keep it looking fresh and bright.
• Freeze homemade pesto -- without the cheese -- in an airtight freezer bag or container for up to 6 months. Add the cheese before using.
• Spinach and Basil Pesto - Follow the recipe above, but use half spinach leaves and half basil leaves.

CHICKEN WITH PESTO AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Grate the Parmesan and set to one side. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Using a sharp knife, slice a pocket into each chicken breast and open it up. Spread 1tsp of pesto sauce into each one, and share the Parmesan between them. Top with the basil leaves, then close the pockets and secure with toothpicks.
• Spoon 2tbsp of the olive oil into a roasting pan and add all the vegetables, tossing them to coat. Season with a little salt and black pepper to taste.
• Arrange the chicken breasts on top. Sprinkle the remaining olive oil over them, and transfer to the oven. Roast for 25-30 mins, until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN PESTO PARMESAN (NON-BREADED)

Steps:

• Spoon a little tomato sauce in a baking pan to cover the bottom and lay chicken breasts on top. Add more sauce around (but not on top of) breasts as desired, but only enough to come a little way up the sides of the chicken - make sure the top is uncovered!.
• Divide and spread pesto on each chicken breast, adjusting the quantity depending on how much you like pesto - I use a lot!
• Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until chicken is done (juices run clear). The exact amount of time will vary depending on the size/thickness of your chicken, so you have to watch them (I recommend a meat thermometer).
• About 5-10 minutes before chicken is done, top each breast with shredded cheese.
• Serve chicken breasts with or without pasta, spooning sauce from the pan around or on top of chicken.

PARMESAN PESTO PASTA WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• in large saucepan combine butter, milk, half and half and parmesan cheese.
• stir over med heat untill cheese is melted.
• add pesto sauce mix and chicken.
• simmer 5-7 minutes, until sauce thickens.
• serve over pasta.

WALNUT PESTO CHICKEN WITH GARLIC AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Combine the basil in with the walnuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. Add the garlic, salt and pepper then pulse a few times more.
• Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended.
• If the chicken is frozen, then cook the chicken in about a half cup of water till it is thawed enough to dice into cubes. Smash the garlic and add to the water and finish cooking the chicken.
• Boil a pot of water and add the egg noodles and cook to desired softness, I like mine a little al dente so it only took about 6 minutes. Drain the water from the noodles and chicken and mix it all together with the pesto.

PESTO PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS OVER TOMATO SPINACH PASTA

Steps:

• Chicken -- I don't like the chicken breasts too thin for this. A scallopini cut is too thin, but lately a few that I have purchased are so thick I had to pound them out a bit.
• Marinate -- Now, if you have time, place the chicken and pesto in a large baggie and let it marinate, 30 minute and up to 4 hours. But not longer than 4 hours. If you do not have time, don't worry. It can be made right on the spot.
• Tomato sauce -- I like to start the sauce first. I use a good Italian flavored tomato sauce, but use your favorite sauce. I also like to add a bit more onion and garlic to mine, but remember, you can really add anything you want to make it "Yours.".
• In a small pot, add the olive oil and bring to medium heat. Then add the onion and garlic and cook 2-3 minutes. Deglaze with the wine and then add in the tomatoes and let simmer while you prepare the chicken. Before serving - after puree - if you add that step, add in the fresh basil.
• Note: Depending on what type of tomatoes you use, you may need to puree them. I use my immersion blender or you can use a regular blender. The end result you want a fairly smooth sauce. I like a little texture, but I use big Italian tomatoes, so I like to puree mine a bit. If you use a fine diced tomatoes, you may not need to do that. It is your choice.
• Chicken -- In a pie plate, or small dish, add the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
• Now if you marinated the chicken in the pesto remove each chicken breast and lightly shake off any extra. Then dredge in the bread crumb and cheese mixture. If you didn't marinate your chicken, just add the pesto to a small bowl and dip each breast in the pesto, shake off any extra and dredge in the bread crumb and cheese mixture like above.
• Pasta -- Cook according to package directions.
• Pan Sear -- In a large skillet (I prefer a non-stick pan for this), heat up the olive oil of medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook on each side until golden brown. They only take approximately 5-10 minutes per side depending on the thickness of your chicken.
• Pasta -- Drain the pasta well and toss in the tomato sauce and don't forget to add the fresh basil.
• Serve -- Plate up the pasta and tomato sauce and then top with a chicken breast. You can garnish with extra parmesan if you want. Just add a salad and dinner. ENJOY!