Foil Pack Creamy Pesto Chicken Rice Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN & RICE FOIL PACKETS

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with 3 sheets of foil (about 6-8 inches) and set aside.
• Combine the brown rice, water and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning in a medium bowl and soak for 5 minutes. DIvide rice (and it's water) into 3 sheets of foil.
• Pound chicken with a meat tenderizer or a rolling-pin until they are even. Seasoning each chicken breast generously with the reaming taco seasoning. Place the chicken on the rice. Top each chicken with a few tablespoons of salsa and a sprinkle of cheese. Add the veggies and beans on the sides of the chicken. Drizzle each packet with olive oil and fold the sides of the foil over the chicken, covering completely; seal the packets closed.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until chicken's internal temperature reaches 165F. Remove from oven and carefully open up the foils; put the packets under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes. Squeeze fresh lime juice on each packet, garnish with cilantro and sour-cream if desired and serve.

PESTO CHICKEN AND RICE BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray an 8-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Mix 1 1/2 cups water together with rice, seasoning packets, and 2 tablespoons pesto. Pour mixture into the casserole dish.
• Toss chicken tenders with remaining pesto in a shallow dish. Place chicken on top of the rice.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
• Mix remaining water with Alfredo sauce. Remove dish from the oven and pour Alfredo sauce over the chicken, stirring to combine. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake until cheese melts, about 15 minutes more. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE FOIL PACKS

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. Cut 4 (18x12-inch) sheets of heavy-duty foil. Spray with cooking spray.
• Measure 1/2 cup of the condensed soup, and reserve. In 4-cup glass measuring cup, mix remaining condensed soup, the chicken broth and 1 teaspoon of the seasoning; beat with whisk to blend. Add instant rice; stir and let stand about 8 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in carrots and peppers.
• Season chicken with remaining 2 teaspoons seasoning; place on center of each sheet of foil. Dividing evenly, spoon rice and vegetable mixture around each chicken breast. Divide any remaining soaking liquid over tops of breasts. Spread 2 tablespoons reserved soup over each breast; evenly top with bacon.
• Bring up 2 sides of foil so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again, allowing space for heat circulation and expansion. Fold other sides to seal.
• Place packs on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 10 minutes. Rotate packs 1/2 turn; cook 9 to 10 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Remove packs from grill; cut large X across top of each pack. Carefully fold back foil, and garnish with green onions.

PESTO CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fennel and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to become translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Add the shallots and continue to cook until the chicken is browned on all sides, about 3 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring, until it is toasted, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat so the broth simmers; cover the skillet and simmer until the rice is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a roaring boil.
• Meanwhile, fill a small bowl with ice water. Set aside.
• Cook the pine nuts in a medium skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until lightly toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
• When the water is boiling, add a handful of salt (you want the water as salty as the ocean), then add the basil leaves. Use a slotted spoon, small strainer or spider to press down the leaves, making sure they're fully submerged in the water. Count to five, remove the leaves with the slotted spoon and immediately plunge them into the ice water for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove the basil from the ice water and squeeze out excess water.
• Put the toasted pine nuts in a food processor. (If you don't have a food processor, a blender is fine.) Pulse to chop the nuts. Add the garlic and basil and pulse. Once a creamy, green paste forms, with the motor running, slowly pour in the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil, processing until the oil is fully incorporated. Transfer the paste to a medium bowl and fold in 1 cup of the Parmesan with a rubber spatula. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the pesto and butter, if using. Serve the chicken and rice topped with fresh basil and the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan.

FOIL-PACKET RICE WITH CHORIZO AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Toss the rice, bell pepper, chorizo, olives, tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Add the scallions, reserving 2 tablespoons of the green parts for topping.
• Tear off four 18-inch-long sheets of heavy-duty foil. Divide the rice mixture among the foil sheets. Add the chicken to the empty bowl along with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the paprika, oregano, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Toss to coat.
• Put the chicken on top of the rice mixture (3 pieces per packet). Bring the short ends of the foil together and fold twice to seal, then fold in the sides to form packets.
• Grill the foil packets, flipping occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove from the grill and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.
• Carefully open the packets. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and reserved scallion greens.

FOIL PACKED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place 1 chicken breast half, 2 sliced tomatoes and 1 sliced zucchini in each packet.
• Spoon 2 Tablespoons of basil pesto over each chicken.
• You can use 8 18 x 12 inch sheets of heavy duty foil if you don't want to purchase the foil packets.
• Make sure you double fold ends by folding 1/2 inch and then repeating the 1/2 inch fold.
• Remember to leave space on sides for circulation and expansion.
• Cover and grill packets 4 to 5 inches from medium heat.
• Cook 20 to 25 minutes or until juice of chicken is no longer pink.
• To serve, cut a large"X" across top of packet to let steam escape.
• This also can be cooked in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until juices run clear.