Green Grape Pesto Walnut Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN SALAD WITH GRAPES AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise (2/3 cup), salt (1/2 teaspoon), black pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and fresh chopped parsley (2 tablespoons).
• Add the shredded chicken (2 cups), halved or quartered grapes (1/2 cup), diced celery (1/2 cup), chopped walnuts (1/4 cup), and diced red onion (1/4 cup). Stir well to combine.
• Serve on sandwiches with toasted bread, on lettuce wraps, or on top of a green salad.

PESTO WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• Combine basil, walnuts, and garlic in a food processor; blend well. Stop the motor and add oil; process until well mixed. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper; process briefly once more.

PESTO CHICKEN SALAD WITH RED GRAPES

Steps:

• Pasta and Chicken:.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat; add salt, then the penne. When the water returns to a boil, stir occasionally to separate the penne. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or according to package instructions, until the pasta is al dente. Drain well, rinse with cool water, and drain again.
• While the pasta is cooking, poach the chicken. Pour water into a medium saute pan, to a level about 1 1/2 inches deep (when it is added, the chicken should be covered by about 1/2 inch water). Stir in the salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the chicken; reduce the heat to medium. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked through.
• With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the skillet. Cut it into 1-inch pieces and place on a plate to cool. Discard the poaching liquid.
• Basil Pesto:.
• Process all the ingredients in a food processor (or blender) until the mixture is a coarse puree. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• The pesto will keep for up to 1 week in a covered container in the refrigerator; pour a thin film of olive oil on top of the pesto to prevent discoloration. For longer storage, spoon the mixture into a foil-lined custard cup, cover tightly with foil and freeze. Once frozen, remove the foil-wrapped packet and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or remove from the foil and thaw quickly in the microwave.
• Creamy Pesto Dressing:.
• Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• In a medium bowl toss together the pasta, chicken, carrots and grapes. Add the dressing and toss again. Place lettuce on plate and scoop the chicken mixture on top, and garnish as you wish.
• The dressing will keep for up to 2 days in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. (If it thickens after standing, thin with milk or water.) This salad can be made early the day it is to be served; refrigerate and serve later, either chilled or at room temperature.
• ***Variation***.
• Substitute other pasta shapes, such as rotini or rotelle.
• Rather than poaching the chicken breasts try grilling them.

GRAPE, CHICKEN, AND WALNUT PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spread pizza dough evenly onto a pizza pan.
• Bake pizza dough in preheated oven until slightly cooked, about 8 minutes.
• Spread pesto onto pizza crust in a thin layer, leaving edges exposed. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over pesto layer; add chicken. Arrange grapes, cut-side up, around the crust. Sprinkle walnuts over pizza and season with black pepper.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bottom of crust is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

GREEN GRAPE, PESTO & WALNUT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place a whole chicken in a roasting tray, stuffed with 7 or 8 cloves of garlic, half a lemon and a bunch of rosemary. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then roast according to weight (see recommended cooking time on package) in a pre-heated oven at 200°C/400°F, basting it 2 or 3 times in between. Once cooked, carve the chicken into bite-size pieces, which you place in a large serving bowl. Add a bunch-full of halved green grapes, two pots of pesto, a cup of chopped walnuts, chopped coriander (or any other herbs of your choice) and drizzle with olive oil. It also works well with cold chicken, which means you can conveniently roast the chicken the day before and keep it in the fridge.