Pesto Chicken Puff Pasties Recipes

FLAKY PASTRY PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 220ºC/425ºF/gas 7.
• Unroll the pastry, cut it in half lengthways, then cut each half widthways into 8 equal strips.
• Flatten the chicken breasts by pounding with your fist until the fat ends are the same thickness as the skinny ends.
• Place them in a roasting tray, season with sea salt and black pepper, spread over the pesto, then lay 4 overlapping strips of pastry over each breast, tucking them under at the edges. Brush with a little olive oil.
• Lightly dress the tomato vines in olive oil, season and put into a second tray. Place the chicken tray on the top shelf of the oven with the tomatoes below, and cook for 20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the chicken is cooked through.
• Meanwhile, line up the beans, trim off just the stalk ends, then cook in a pan of boiling salted water for 7 minutes, or until tender.
• Remove the chicken to a board with half the tomatoes, squashing the rest in the tray and discarding the vines. Drain and toss in the beans, taste and season to perfection.
• Slice the chicken at an angle and serve on top of the beans, with the whole tomatoes.

PESTO CHICKEN PUFF PASTRY PACKETS

Steps:

• Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a 1/2-inch thickness. Divide each breast into 2 even portions. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and until lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Remove garlic and discard.
• Cook chicken in the skillet until well browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Remove chicken onto a plate and coat with pesto. Cover the plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Unfold pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 14-inch square and cut into four 7-inch squares. Sprinkle an equal portion of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over each square; place a piece of chicken on top.
• Whisk egg and water together in a bowl; brush mixture over the edges of the pastry squares. Fold corners of the pastry over the chicken to the center and press to seal. Place filled pastries seam-side down onto a baking sheet. Brush with the egg mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

PESTO CHICKEN PUFF PASTIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C.
• Dice the chicken into half-inch cubes.
• Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the chicken and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove from the heat.
• Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut each in half (cut the shortest distance through the middle so you are left with two short, fat rectangles not long thin ones).
• Add the pesto sauce and tomatoes to the chicken and stir to mix.
• Spoon equal amounts of the chicken mixture onto the pastry sheets, covering half of each sheet but leaving a gap at the edge to seal the pastry.
• Top the chicken mixture with the grated mozzarella cheese.
• Beat the egg. Brush egg around the inside edge of each pasty then fold the pastry over to seal. Crimp with a fork to reinforce the seal.
• Brush each pasty with the beaten egg.
• Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes (mine take closer to 20) until the pastry is golden.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

CHICKEN PESTO TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Roll out the pastry and line a 23-24cm deep flan tin. Line with baking paper and beans, then bake for 10 mins. Remove the paper and beans, then bake for 5 mins more, until the pastry is golden and crisp.
• Cut the zucchini in 0.5 cm slices. Cut the chicken breast in 2 cm cubes. Heat a frying pan and poor in the olive oil. Fry the chicken until it is lightly browned, then add the zucchini. Stir in 2 tbsp of pesto and leave to simmer until the zucchini are glossy.
• Spread the chicken-zucchini mixture evenly over the base of the flan dish.
• Mix the eggs, sour cream and 1 tbsp in a blender and add salt and pepper to taste. Poor the mixture into the flan dish and scatter the grated cheese over it.
• Lower oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2 and bake the tart for 30-35 mins or until just set. Remove and allow to cool for 10 mins. Serve with a salad and a glass of white wine.

MEDITERRANEAN PUFF PASTRY CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, use a fork to combine crushed garlic and egg yolk. Place chicken breasts in a shallow glass dish and spread both sides with egg mixture. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours, or overnight (recommended).
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Place one half of the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured board. Place 1/2 cup spinach in the center of the pastry sheet. Remove one chicken breast from marinade, shaking off any excess, and place on top of spinach. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto over chicken, layer with half the sun-dried tomatoes, sprinkle with half the feta cheese, and top with 1/2 cup spinach. Fold pastry sheet around chicken, using fingers or fork to seal pastry seam. Place chicken seam side down on baking sheet. Repeat steps with the second half of the puff pastry sheet and remaining chicken breast.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Test for doneness by cutting through center of chicken breast; if juices run clear, chicken is cooked.

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 430 degrees F.
• Combine cheese, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in processor until smooth and basil is finely chopped.
• Unfold both pieces of pastry carefully.
• Roll out on lightly-floured surface to 14 x 10 inch rectangle about 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut in half crosswise into 7 x 10 inch rectangle; repeat with second sheet of pastry.
• Spread ¼ of cheese mixture lengthwise, in approximate size of chicken breast, across center of each rectangle.
• Place chicken breast over, skinned side down.
• Lift long sides of pastry to meet in center over top of chicken; pinch overlap and short ends to enclose chicken snuggly.
• Trim away excess pastry leaving pinched overlap.
• Arrange seam side down, 2 inches apart, on a greased baking sheet; brush generously with beaten egg.
• Bake until puffed and golden and chicken is cooked through, 18-22 minutes.
• Note: Using Boursin Cheese in this recipe in place of the cream cheese is very nice, too.

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry into a 14-in. square. Cut into four squares. , Spoon 2 tablespoons cream cheese into the center of each square; top with Muenster cheese and chicken., Whisk egg and water; lightly brush over edges. Bring opposite corners of pastry over each bundle; pinch seams to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; brush with remaining egg mixture. , Bake at 400° for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.