Crunchy Baked Pesto Chicken Food

CHICKEN & LEEK PASTA BAKE WITH A CRUNCHY TOP

Steps:

• For the base, melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and cook for a few mins, stirring all the time. Now, using a whisk or spatula, carefully stir in the milk, a little at a time, making sure the sauce stays smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for a couple of mins until it thickens - it will be very thick. Turn the heat right down and keep cooking for 5 mins, stirring often.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry all of the chicken in batches until it starts to colour lightly at the edges. Scoop out each batch of chicken and put it on a plate. Add the onion to the pan if you are using it, and cook over a low heat until soft. Add the chicken and any juices and the onion to the white sauce, fold it in and cook the mixture for a further 15 mins or until the chicken is cooked through. If you're making the base ahead of time, you can leave it to cool at this stage then freeze in an airtight container for up to a month. (Defrost fully before using in the next step.)
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Put the leeks in a pan with a little water, cover and cook until very soft. Drain, then return to the pan with the courgette, pesto and soft cheese, stir everything together, add the chicken base and stir well, then heat until just bubbling. Add a splash of water if it's very thick.
• Stir the pasta into the chicken mixture and tip into a large baking dish. Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and grill the top until it browns.

CRISPY BAKED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Coat chicken with coating mix; place in 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 20 min. or until done (165ºF).
• Top with pesto and cheese; bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

BAKED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Line baking sheet with heavy-duty foil.
• Place chicken and pesto in medium bowl; toss to coat.
• Place chicken on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
• Remove from oven; top with tomatoes and cheese.
• Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CRISPY ARTICHOKE PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Fit a rimmed baking sheet with a baking rack.
• Combine the artichoke hearts, pesto and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, 10 to 12 pulses. Set aside.
• Sprinkle the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper and arrange them pounded-side up on a work surface. Divide the provolone evenly among the cutlets, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edges, then top evenly with the pesto and artichoke filling. Starting at the short end of each cutlet, roll up to enclose the filling. Secure with a wooden skewer and season with more salt and pepper.
• Put the flour in a shallow dish. Put the eggs in a second shallow dish and beat until very loose. Mix the breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan in a third shallow dish. Coat the chicken roll-ups first in the flour, then dip in the egg, letting any excess drip off. Last, coat fully with the breadcrumb mixture and transfer to a plate.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Put 3 of the roll-ups in the skillet seam-side down and cook, flipping as needed, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Wipe out the skillet and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Cook the remaining roll-ups in the same method, then transfer to the baking sheet. Bake the roll-ups until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the skewers before serving.

CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN WITH ROASTED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Use a small sharp knife to make a slit along the side of each chicken breast to form a pocket. Mix together the pesto and mascarpone, then carefully spoon a quarter of the mixture into each chicken breast and smooth over the opening to seal.
• Brush a little oil, about 1 tsp, all over each chicken breast and season well. Tip the breadcrumbs onto a large plate and season. Place each breast on the plate and press all over with the breadcrumbs. Place in a lightly oiled shallow baking dish along with the tomatoes (kept together on the vine in a couple of bunches). Drizzle over the remaining oil.
• Cook in the oven for 20-25 mins until the chicken starts to turn golden and is cooked through. Scatter over the pine nuts and cook for 2 mins more. Sprinkle with basil leaves and serve with new potatoes or crusty bread.

CRISPY BREADED PESTO MOZZARELLA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pound out chicken breasts with meat mallet or rolling pin.
• Take unseasoned breadcrumbs and add salt, pepper, garlic salt, parmesan cheese, thyme, and any other herbs you desire to the crumbs. (You may decide amounts to your taste, I use about a teaspoon of the spices and a tablespoon or 2 of the parmesan depending on how many breadcrumbs you use).
• Combine homemade or store bought pesto (I prefer my homeade pesto) with shredded mozzarella cheese in a cup making sure to coat all of the cheese evenly with the pesto.
• Spread a generous amount of the cheese mixture on the pounded out chicken breast.
• Roll the chicken breast up and secure with toothpicks.
• Dip the chicken breast in milk and then into the seasoned bread crumbs.
• Place chicken onto a greased pan and place into a 400°F oven for approximately 20 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear.

CRISPY BAKED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Coat chicken with coating mix; place in 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 20 min. or until done (165ºF).
• Top with pesto and cheese; bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted.