Pesto Marinade For Chicken Or Shrimp 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!

PESTO MARINATED CHICKEN WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a glass baking dish combine pesto and lime juice. Add the chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
• With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 400°F.
• On a baking sheet, toss the sweet potatoes, potato and onions with 2 T olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are al dente, about 20 minute Keep warm.
• In a skillet, brown the chicken on each side in the remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the baking sheet beside the vegetables, and bake until the chicken is cooked through.
• Vinaigrette:.
• Meanwhile, combine all the vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Slice the chicken and serve with the vegetables.
• Sprinkle with pine nuts and basil leaves and drizzle with vinaigrette.