Marinated Pesto Chicken Recipes

GRILLED PESTO-MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix together pesto, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pepper, and salt in a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Cook chicken on the preheated grill over indirect heat until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

MARINATED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place the basil, garlic, Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and lemon juice in a food processor and process until combined.
• Gradually add the olive oil, with the processor still running, and process until smooth.
• Reserve 3/4 cup of the pesto.
• Coat the chicken fillets with the remaining pesto and marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight if time permits.
• Place the chicken on a tray and cook under a medium grill (broil) for 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked, brushing with any remaining marinade during the cooking.
• Serve with roasted vegetables, (such as eggplant, capsicum, red onion) and the reserved pesto.

PESTO MARINADE FOR CHICKEN OR SHRIMP

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together.
• Marinate chicken for at least an hour, more is better! For shrimp, don't marinate too long--the lemon will "cook" the shrimp. It doesn't ruin it, but it changes the texture a bit.
• Brush marinade on meat while it's cooking. (Discard garlic chunks).
• Works well with chicken, shrimp, and firm white fish. I think it would be good with pork tenderloin, but I haven't made that yet!