Pesto And Lemon Grilled 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).

LEMON PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Roll lemons on cutting board to activate juices. Squeeze juice from two lemons, should be approximately 1/4 cup lemon juice.
• Whisk pesto, lemon juice and black pepper.
• Place chicken in marinade (be sure it is thoroughly coated), cover, and refrigerate for 2 -24 hours. Remove from refrigeration.
• To bake: Pour marinade and chicken into glass baking dish. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165.
• To slow cook: Pour marinade and chicken into slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours.
• To grill: Place chicken breast cutlets on grill over low heat. Grill 5-6 minutes on each side, brushing with marinade after turning.

PESTO AND LEMON GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine all together in a large jar with a tight-fitting lid, or a sturdy zip lock bag, or a non-metallic bowl. This will make about 2 1/2 cups.
• Before adding your protein or veggies, save back about 1/2 of the marinade to baste while cooking, or reserve to top after your dish is plated. You'll probably have enough to use for another purpose (use on pasta, pizza, etc).
• In the remaining marinade, add your protein or vegetable of choice and let rest for the recommended length of time: chicken about 1-2 hours, seafood, and fish no longer than 30 min, veggies 30 min, firm tofu (pressed dry) 1 hour, and beef 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Grill until cooked through, set aside, and let rest, then slice and spoon or brush with reserved marinade.

LEMON PESTO BAKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken, pesto and lemon juice into a large zip tight freezer bag.
• Remove air from bag and close.
• With your hands massage bag to combine chicken, pesto and lemon juice. Set aside.
• Load cheese into a small freezer safe zip top bag. Squeeze out air and close.
• (This is an optional step to keep everything together). Take another large zip tight freezer bag and place both the chicken and the cheese bags inside. Remove air and close.
• Label outer bag using a permanent marker with contents, date assembled and cooking instructions.
• Freeze.
• Remove contents from outer bag.
• Place cheese bag in the refrigerator.
• In the refrigerator thaw bag of Lemon Pesto Chicken over night.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• When thawed place Lemon Pesto Chicken into a 9x13-inch casserole dish and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, covered.
• Remove foil and sprinkle cheese on the top of the chicken.
• Bake for 5 minutes.
• Turn broiler on high and broil for 5 minutes.
• Serve over pasta.