Pesto Chicken Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes Recipes

CHERRY TOMATOES STUFFED WITH PESTO

Steps:

• To make the pesto, turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic. When it is chopped and adhering to the sides of the bowl, stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the basil, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, salt, pepper and olive oil to the food processor, and process until smooth and creamy. Add the Parmesan, and pulse until well combined. You can also use a mortar and pestle. Add the basil leaves gradually, and mash with the pestle. Add the pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper. Mash to a paste with the basil. Work in the olive oil and the Parmesan.
• Using a paring knife, cut thin slices from the tops of the cherry tomatoes. Use a grapefruit spoon or small spoon to scoop the seeds and flesh from the center of each tomato. Lightly salt the hollowed out tomatoes if desired, and place them, cut side down, on a rack to drain for 15 minutes. Fill with the pesto, arrange on a platter and serve. Refrigerate or freeze any excess pesto.

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!

PROSCIUTTO-STUFFED BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 11x7-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Slice a pocket lengthwise, horizontal to the cutting board, in each breast, leaving the tips intact and not slicing all the way through. The larger end of the breast should be a sort of cupped shape. Gently open each pocket, pointing the cut edge up, and leaving them on the cutting board. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
• Place 1 slice provolone cheese on each chicken breast. Layer 1 slice prosciutto over cheese, lightly folding it so it does not hang over the edge of the chicken. Spoon 2 tablespoons pesto over each chicken breast and top with tomato pieces. Sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs over chicken. Arrange chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, stuffing-side up.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 30 to 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

LEMON-WALNUT PESTO STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Put all pesto ingredients in food processor and process until slightly chunky, or desired consistency.
• Taste and adjust seasonings, as necessary.
• Cut tomatoes (in half or cut off the very top) and remove seeds and juice (I use an iced tea spoon).
• Fill tomato with pesto using a pastry bag or ziploc bag (small spoon may also work).
• Sprinkle with paprika just before serving.
• Serve chilled or room temperature.