Smoked Chicken And Sun Dried Tomato Sandwiches With Basil Olive Pesto Food

GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Marinate your chicken breasts by adding them to a large bowl, then drizzling over about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a couple of pinches of salt and black pepper, the Italian seasoning, lemon zest and juice, plus garlic, and toss to coat; marinate for 20 minutes, or even over night.
• Next, prepare your arugula-basil pesto: if blanching your basil leaves to lock in the vibrant color, bring a small/medium size pot of water to the boil, then turn off the heat; add the basil leaves and blanch them for just 5-10 seconds; drain and add the leaves to ice water to shock them, then drain and gently pat dry on paper towel.
• To the bowl of a food processor, add the pine nuts, grated parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon zest and juice, the salt and pepper, plus 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and process for about 20 seconds until fairly smooth; add the basil leaves and the arugula, and continue to process, drizzling in the 1/2 cup of olive oil until smooth, about 30-45 seconds.
• Spoon the pesto into a jar or small bowl, cover with plastic, and place into fridge to hold.
• To grill the chicken, place your grill pan (you can also use an outdoor grill as well) over medium-high heat, and grill a couple of the chicken breast cutlets for about 3 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden (grilling time is shorter since these are thinner cutlets); allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes.
• Preheat your broiler, and line a small baking sheet with foil; place the grilled chicken breasts onto the baking sheet, top each with 1 ounce of the grated smoked (or plain) mozzarella cheese, then place under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
• To assemble the grilled chicken sandwiches, generously spread some of your pesto sauce onto both the bottom and top pieces of the bread, then place a cheesy grilled chicken breast onto the bottom piece of bread.
• Top the chicken with about 1 tablespoon of the julienned sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of micro arugula greens or regular arugula greens; then, cover with the top piece of pesto-slathered bread, and serve.

BAKED CHICKEN WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500*F.
• Line a 13x9" baking pan with foil; arrange chicken in the pan.
• Combine the sun-dried tomatoes, 2 Tbsp.
• of the oil, basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and pepper in a food processor; whirl until smooth.
• Spread about half (around 1/4 cup) of the pesto over the chicken.
• Bake about 15-20 minutes, or until juices run clear; remove pan from oven.
• Heat the broiler.
• Spread the remaining pesto over the chicken; broil 6" from heat for 3-5 minutes, or until browned.

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.

CHICKEN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Split the french rolls or bread slices in half, sandwich fashion.
• Spread the cut side of each piece of bread with equal amounts of mayonnaise. Divide the chicken slices into four equal-size portions. Cover half the mayonnaise-smeared bread slices with one portion of chicken slices neatly arranged. Cover each serving with six sun-dried tomatoes. Cover each with two lettuce leaves. Top with the remaining bread slices. Press to make the sandwiches more compact.

SMOKED CHICKEN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO SANDWICHES WITH BASIL OLIVE PESTO

Steps:

• Make sandwiches:
• In a heatproof bowl pour enough boiling water over tomatoes to cover and let stand 20 to 30 minutes, or until soft. Drain tomatoes and pat dry.
• Cut loaf diagonally into 4 pieces and halve each piece horizontally. Spread pesto on cut sides of bread and make 4 sandwiches with chicken, tomatoes, and arugula.
• Make Basil Olive Pesto:
• To a food processor with motor running add garlic and blend until minced. Add basil, parsley, and nuts and blend well. Add oil and blend until smooth. Transfer pesto to a bowl and stir in olives. Pesto may be made 5 days ahead and chilled, surface covered tightly with plastic wrap.
• Bring pesto to room temperature before using. Makes about 3/4 cup.