Grilled Chicken Breasts With Pesto Peppers And Goat Cheese Food

CHICKEN WITH PEPPERS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Season chicken, if desired, with salt and ground black pepper. Dip chicken in flour, coating well; shake off excess. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken, turning once, 5 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken and keep warm.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in same skillet over medium heat and cook bell peppers, stirring frequently, 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add shallots and cook 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute. Stir in Sauce and simmer 5 minutes or until slightly reduced.
• To serve, spoon sauce over chicken and sprinkle with goat cheese.
• Cost per recipe*: $17.63.
• Cost per serving*: $4.41.
• *Based on average retail prices at national supermarkets.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board (leave several inches between them and work in batches as needed). Cover with plastic wrap to keep things tidy, and with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or your fist, pound the chicken to an even thickness. It doesn't need to be ultra thin-just make sure the middle is fairly even with the ends (the chicken should be about 1/2-inch thick).
• With a fork, poke holes all over the chicken (this will allow the marinade to absorb).
• In a large ziptop bag, combine the marinade ingredients, then add the chicken.
• Seal the bag to evenly coat the chicken with the marinade. Place in a pan or bowl to catch any drips. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate it to marinate for up to 12 hours (5 to 6 hours is ideal). Even 15 minutes is better than nothing!
• When ready to grill, preheat the grill to high (475 degrees F). If your chicken has been in the refrigerator, remove it and allow it to come to room temperature for at least 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grates.
• Place the chicken on the grill presentation (smooth) side down, shaking off any excess marinade. Cover the grill and let cook for 4 to 5 minutes on the first side, then flip. The chicken should lift easily off the grill; if it sticks, allow it to cook another minute or two.
• Recover the grill and cook for an additional 4 to 8 minutes. Chicken is considered done at 165 degrees F. I like to remove chicken from the grill around the 155-160 degree F mark and allow it to finish cooking while resting. DO NOT OVERCOOK, or your chicken will be dry.
• Place the chicken on a plate and let rest for at least 5 minutes (resting is mandatory!). Add any desired toppings or sauces. Enjoy!

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE WITH SMOKED CHILE CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat grill. Mix together the goat cheese, olives, red pepper and thyme in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Lay each breast out and fill with the cheese mixture. Brush the breasts with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste, secure with toothpicks. Grill for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
• In a blender, combine the poblanos, onion and lime juice and blend until smooth. While the blender is running, add the oil slowly until emulsified. Add the spinach and cilantro and blend until smooth. Add the honey and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

PESTO AND CHEESE-FILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Pound chicken breasts between sheets of waxed paper to thickness of 1/4 inch. Combine goat cheese, pesto and shallot in small bowl; mix well. Spread boned side of chicken breast with scant 2 tablespoons cheese mixture. Starting at one long side of chicken breast, roll up tightly, jelly roll style. Repeat with remaining chicken and cheese mixture.
• Heat olive oil in heavy large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour and shake off excess. Fry chicken breast in olive oil until golden brown on all sides, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes. Place skillet with chicken in oven and bake until chicken is tender and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

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.

CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PUMPKIN WALNUT PEST

Steps:

• Pumpkin Walnut Pesto: In food processor; pulse walnuts until ground; add oil, sage, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes; pulse until combined. Add pumpkin purée; pulse until combined.
• Stuffed Chicken Breasts: Preheat oven to 400°F Fold Pumpkin Walnut Pesto into goat cheese.
• Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise through center, keeping edge intact to open like a book. Season all over with salt and pepper. Stuff evenly with goat cheese and pesto mixture. Secure with toothpicks.
• Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet set over medium-high heat; cook chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown.
• Transfer to oven; bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and instant-read thermometer registers internal temperature of 165°F Let stand for 10 minutes; remove toothpicks before serving. To serve, slice diagonally.
• Tip: Using skin-on chicken breasts keeps the chicken moist and tender. Serve with roasted potatoes and roasted or steamed vegetables.