Mozzarella Pesto Stuffed Chicken Thighs Food

PESTO TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut chicken breasts horizontally but do not cut all the way through. Open up. (see photo above)
• Spread entire opens surface of chicken with 2 tablespoons pesto.
• Add 2 sliced tomatoes to half of the chicken.
• Top with 1/4 cup of grated mozzarella and a few spinach leaves.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle on a bit of olive oil.
• Heat oven proof skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• When olive oil is sizzling, carefully add chicken.
• Sear on each side for 2-3 minutes using tongs to turn.
• Finish baking in oven for about 8 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 165 degrees.
• For a dipping sauce: Combine yogurt and pesto and serve over the chicken or on the side.

PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• On a cutting board, salt and pepper both sides of each chicken breast with approximately ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, per side.
• Slice each chicken breast horizontally along the side to create a pocket for the filling.
• Stuff each breast with approximately one third of mozzarella cheese, one tablespoon pesto and four sundried tomatoes. If the chicken breast does not close fully with the filling, try securing with a wooden toothpick.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Pan fry for about 5-8 minutes, per side, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through. Serve warm.
• Enjoy!

PESTO-MOZZARELLA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Pre-heat grill to high heat.
• Oil grill with light coat of oil (for charcoal oil before heating).
• Rinse chicken;pat dry.
• With sharp knife, cut a pocket deep lengthwise into the edge of each chicken breast. be careful not to cut all the way through.
• Season chicken with pepper.
• Spread 1 tablespoon pesto into each pocket.
• Fill each pocket with 1/4 of mozzarella balls and 1/4 of the red pepper slices.
• Spread remaining pesto over outside of chicken breasts to give it a light, even coating.
• Lay chicken on oil grill. Close lid.
• Cook until browned on bottom (about 7 minutes).
• Turn and continue cooking until browned on other side and no longer pink in center; about 7 minutes longer (carefully cut to test).
• Serve hot with some crusty bread, a tossed green salad, and fresh fruit.

GRILLED PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat the grill.
• Loosen skin from thighs to form a pocket; stuff with pesto.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Grill the chicken, turning once, until cooked through, about 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mash garlic with 1/8 teaspoon salt to form a paste; stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil and brush on bread slices.
• Toast bread on grill.
• Serve chicken on bread, garlic side up.

STUFFED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Wash and pat dry chicken thighs; lay them flat, inside up.
• Slice mushrooms and sauté with salt and pepper until they are brown; remove from heat.
• Wash and stem spinach.
• Chop spinach and add to mushrooms, tossing to wilt.
• Place about 2 tablespoons of this filling on each chicken thigh, evenly dispersing the remaining filling among the thighs as needed.
• Divide cheese among chicken thighs.
• Close the thighs with toothpicks (I used three per thigh) and place in a pie dish.
• Sprinkle paprika, crushed tarragon, and garlic salt over the thighs.
• Drizzle honey over all.
• Add water to the pie pan, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle remaining cheese over chicken and bake until the cheese is melted.
• Serve with steamed veggies, rice, and a fruit salad.

PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Spread a little pesto under the skin of each chicken thigh.
• Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a heavy based saucepan and sauté chicken in batches until lightly browned all over.
• Remove with slotted spoon and reserve whilst sautéing the remainder.
• Heat remaining oil in pan add onions and sauté for 3 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes and tomato puree.
• Add basil leaves and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in white wine and simmer for 5 minutes more.
• Season to taste.
• Lay peppers in a large ovenproof dish,pour over tomato sauce, top with chicken and sprinkle paprika over.
• Bake at 375°F/190°C for 25 minutes.
• Garnish with some more basil leaves.
• Pesto Sauce: Liquidise all ingredients.

MOZZARELLA PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• If using Homemade Pesto, place basil and pine nuts in food processor. Cover; process a few times with on-and-off pulses. Add garlic; pulse a few times. Slowly add oil in stream while processor is running, stopping to scrape down sides of processor with rubber spatula. Add Parmesan cheese; pulse until blended.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• To butterfly each chicken breast, start at long side and cut in half horizontally, cutting almost but not completely through. Open chicken and flatten to resemble butterfly shape.
• Spread 1/4 cup Homemade Pesto onto each chicken breast; top each with 1 slice mozzarella cheese. Wrap chicken around cheese; secure with toothpicks.
• In large bowl, mix bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Coat chicken with bread crumbs; place in baking dish.
• Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Cut into slices to serve.