Pesto Stuffed Chicken Recipes

PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• On a cutting board, salt and pepper both sides of each chicken breast with approximately ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, per side.
• Slice each chicken breast horizontally along the side to create a pocket for the filling.
• Stuff each breast with approximately one third of mozzarella cheese, one tablespoon pesto and four sundried tomatoes. If the chicken breast does not close fully with the filling, try securing with a wooden toothpick.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Pan fry for about 5-8 minutes, per side, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through. Serve warm.
• Enjoy!

PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Cut a shallow slice lengthwise down the middle of the top of each chicken breast using a sharp knife, starting and ending about 1 inch from the end. Partially fold the chicken breast in half along the slice to continue shallow, horizontal slices on both sides; slices should resemble an upside-down capital T.
• Spread 1/4 of the ricotta cheese into each pocket. Place string cheese and pesto over ricotta. Season outsides of breasts with garlic salt, black pepper, and cantanzaro herbs.
• Place chicken in the prepared casserole dish and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Cut a pocket into each chicken breast. Evenly stuff pocket of each chicken breast with 1 slice mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon pesto.
• Beat together eggs and remaining 1 tablespoon pesto in a bowl. Place Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish. Dip chicken in egg mixture and then coat with Parmesan cheese. Place coated chicken breast onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices are running clear, 20 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

CRISPY ARTICHOKE PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Fit a rimmed baking sheet with a baking rack.
• Combine the artichoke hearts, pesto and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, 10 to 12 pulses. Set aside.
• Sprinkle the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper and arrange them pounded-side up on a work surface. Divide the provolone evenly among the cutlets, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edges, then top evenly with the pesto and artichoke filling. Starting at the short end of each cutlet, roll up to enclose the filling. Secure with a wooden skewer and season with more salt and pepper.
• Put the flour in a shallow dish. Put the eggs in a second shallow dish and beat until very loose. Mix the breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan in a third shallow dish. Coat the chicken roll-ups first in the flour, then dip in the egg, letting any excess drip off. Last, coat fully with the breadcrumb mixture and transfer to a plate.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Put 3 of the roll-ups in the skillet seam-side down and cook, flipping as needed, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Wipe out the skillet and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Cook the remaining roll-ups in the same method, then transfer to the baking sheet. Bake the roll-ups until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the skewers before serving.

PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Line large, rimmed sheet pan with foil. Place wire rack on top of foil. Spray with cooking spray.
• In small bowl, mix pesto and Parmesan cheese. In thick side of each chicken breast, cut 3-inch-long pocket to within 1/4 inch of opposite side of breast. Spoon about 2 rounded tablespoons pesto mixture into pocket in each chicken breast. Brush olive oil on both sides of chicken, and place on rack. Sprinkle with salt.
• Roast uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and stuffing in chicken reaches internal temperature of 160°F.
• Meanwhile, in 1 1/2-quart saucepan, heat tomatoes to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 7 to 8 minutes, pressing with wooden spoon to break down tomatoes, until sauce thickens. Remove from heat; cover pan to keep warm.
• Brush chicken breasts with balsamic vinegar; top with mozzarella cheese. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with tomato sauce.

PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN ROLLS

Steps:

• To make pesto: Process basil, pine nuts, garlic and a few tablespoons of olive oil in the container of a food processor fitted with a knife blade.
• With processor running, pour salt, pepper and remaining oil through the food chute until a thin paste forms.
• Add parmesan cheese, if using, pulsing until blended.
• To make chicken rolls: Combine margarine/butter, pesto and bell pepper, stirring until smooth.
• Sprinkle each flattened chicken breast with salt and pepper. Spread 2 tablespoons of pesto mixture across each breast, roll up lengthwise and secure with a toothpick.
• Combine cornflake crumbs and paprika in a shallow bowl.
• Dredge chicken rolls in the crumb mixture and place in a baking dish coated with Pam.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350, remove chicken from refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
• Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.
• Remove toothpicks and slice into 1/2 inch pieces. Serve warm.

PESTO RICE-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Cook rice according to package directions., In a small bowl, combine tomato, pesto, salt and rice. Cut a pocket horizontally in the thickest part of each chicken breast. Fill each with 3 tablespoons rice mixture; secure with toothpicks., In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. In batches, brown chicken breasts on each side, adding additional oil as needed. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan., Bake 18-22 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Discard toothpicks before serving.

PESTO-MOZZARELLA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Pre-heat grill to high heat.
• Oil grill with light coat of oil (for charcoal oil before heating).
• Rinse chicken;pat dry.
• With sharp knife, cut a pocket deep lengthwise into the edge of each chicken breast. be careful not to cut all the way through.
• Season chicken with pepper.
• Spread 1 tablespoon pesto into each pocket.
• Fill each pocket with 1/4 of mozzarella balls and 1/4 of the red pepper slices.
• Spread remaining pesto over outside of chicken breasts to give it a light, even coating.
• Lay chicken on oil grill. Close lid.
• Cook until browned on bottom (about 7 minutes).
• Turn and continue cooking until browned on other side and no longer pink in center; about 7 minutes longer (carefully cut to test).
• Serve hot with some crusty bread, a tossed green salad, and fresh fruit.

PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Spread a little pesto under the skin of each chicken thigh.
• Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a heavy based saucepan and sauté chicken in batches until lightly browned all over.
• Remove with slotted spoon and reserve whilst sautéing the remainder.
• Heat remaining oil in pan add onions and sauté for 3 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes and tomato puree.
• Add basil leaves and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in white wine and simmer for 5 minutes more.
• Season to taste.
• Lay peppers in a large ovenproof dish,pour over tomato sauce, top with chicken and sprinkle paprika over.
• Bake at 375°F/190°C for 25 minutes.
• Garnish with some more basil leaves.
• Pesto Sauce: Liquidise all ingredients.

FETA STUFFED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350.
• In a bowl, combine feta, tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeno, oregano, basil salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Using a sharp knife, cut into the fatest part of each breast and create a pocket. Be careful not to cut straight through.
• Put the pesto in a large ziplock bag and place the chicken in with it. Mix it around until the chicken is thoroughly coated.
• Place the coated chicken in a greased glass pan.
• Stuff the feta mix into the pockets of each chicken breast.
• Arrange the chicken so the openings of the pockets are on an angle (facing upward) so once they start baking the mix doesn't ooze out.
• Cook for 45 minutes.

BACON WRAPPED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Lay a chicken breast out flat, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Spread pesto sauce over the chicken breast, and roll the chicken breast in a slice of bacon, securing the roll with toothpicks. Lay the rolled chicken breast into a 9x9-inch baking dish. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts. Pour the vegetable oil over the chicken breasts.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink inside and the bacon is crisp, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a roll should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

SPINACH AND PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In food processor or blender, process 1/4 c Italian dressing with basil, cheese and pepper until blended. In medium bowl, thoroughly combine dressing mixture, spinach and bread crumbs.
• With knife parallel to cutting board, make deep, 3" long cut in center of each chicken breast half to form pocket. Evenly stuff pockets with spinach mixture.
• Line large, shallow baking pan or broiler rack with aluminum foil and arrange chicken evenly. Brush with remaining 2 tbsp Italian dressing.
• Broil, turning once, 7 minutes or until chicken is done.