Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe 45

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!

MOZZARELLA PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• If using Homemade Pesto, place basil and pine nuts in food processor. Cover; process a few times with on-and-off pulses. Add garlic; pulse a few times. Slowly add oil in stream while processor is running, stopping to scrape down sides of processor with rubber spatula. Add Parmesan cheese; pulse until blended.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• To butterfly each chicken breast, start at long side and cut in half horizontally, cutting almost but not completely through. Open chicken and flatten to resemble butterfly shape.
• Spread 1/4 cup Homemade Pesto onto each chicken breast; top each with 1 slice mozzarella cheese. Wrap chicken around cheese; secure with toothpicks.
• In large bowl, mix bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Coat chicken with bread crumbs; place in baking dish.
• Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Cut into slices to serve.

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.

BAKED PESTO CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180 C / Gas mark 4. Line a baking dish with parchment or foil.
• Take the chicken breasts and smother them in the pesto on all sides. Use 4 to 8 spoonfuls of pesto, depending on your taste. Also season the chicken with salt and pepper if desired.
• Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. At 30 minutes, quickly take the chicken breasts out of the oven and sprinkle with half the mozzarella, then with chopped tomato, followed by fresh chopped herbs then the remainder of the Mozzarella.
• Place the chicken back in the oven and cook a further 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is done and no longer pink, and the cheese is melted.

PESTO TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut chicken breasts horizontally but do not cut all the way through. Open up. (see photo above)
• Spread entire opens surface of chicken with 2 tablespoons pesto.
• Add 2 sliced tomatoes to half of the chicken.
• Top with 1/4 cup of grated mozzarella and a few spinach leaves.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle on a bit of olive oil.
• Heat oven proof skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• When olive oil is sizzling, carefully add chicken.
• Sear on each side for 2-3 minutes using tongs to turn.
• Finish baking in oven for about 8 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 165 degrees.
• For a dipping sauce: Combine yogurt and pesto and serve over the chicken or on the side.

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).

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 PROSCUITTO WRAPPED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put your chicken breast on a cutting board and, with your hand flat on top of it, use a sharp knife to slice into one side of the breast, starting at the thicker end and ending at the thin point. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Open up your chicken breast for stuffing. Spoon desired amount of pesto into the center of the butterflied chicken breast and spread it so it is evenly coated. Then, fold your chicken back over. Wrap 2-3 slices of proscuitto around each chicken breast (depending on how large your chicken breasts are, I used 3 slices on each of my breasts). You don't need to secure your wrapped chicken with toothpicks, but if you think it needs it go for it. I just pressed mine tightly to the chicken and it cooked and stayed together just fine! Drizzle a little olive oil on the bottom of an oven safe dish. Carefully place the wrapped chicken breasts on the greased dish and tuck the wrapped proscuitto neatly underneath the chicken if it fell apart at all. Lightly drizzle a little more olive oil over the tops of wrapped chicken breasts. Season lightly with pepper (there is plenty of salty-ness from the proscuitto so no salt needed). Place chicken in preheated oven and bake until chicken is cooked through and proscuitto is crisp, about 30-35 minutes.

PESTO STUFFED BAKED CHICKEN RECIPE

Steps:

• In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine Dried Tomato & Garlic Pesto Mix, water and oil. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese, if desired. Cut a 3-inch slit along one side of each chicken breast, creating a pocket. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Add cheese and bread crumbs to cooled pesto; salt and pepper as desired. Stuff chicken with mixture. Place in a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Preheat oven to 400°F. In small bowl, combine butter and Garlic Garlic™ Seasoning; pour over chicken. Bake until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read food thermometer, about 25 minutes. Makes 6 servings. Or 4 servings + 2 leftover servings. Serve with Green Bean & Bacon Salad. Make Ahead & Freeze: Prepare through step 2. Wrap each breast in plastic wrap and place in a gallon freezer bag. Seal well, label and freeze. Thaw completely. Continue with step 3, placing chicken in a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. For remix Pesto Chicken Wraps recipe: Place 2 leftover chicken breasts in a storage container. Refrigerate up to 2 days.

PESTO-MOZZARELLA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct, high heat (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 inches above cooking grate only 3 to 4 seconds; visit Safeway.com for complete instructions).
• While grill heats, with a sharp knife, cut a pocket lengthwise in the edge of each chicken breast half, taking care to avoid cutting through to the other side. Season chicken pieces on both sides with pepper. Spread about 1 tablespoon pesto inside each pocket, then fill each with 1/4 of the mozzarella balls and 1/4 of the roasted red pepper slices. Rub remaining pesto over exterior of chicken to coat lightly.
• Place chicken on oiled cooking grate; cover gas grill. Cook, turning once with a wide spatula, until meat is browned and no longer pink in center (cut to test, but do not disturb filling), about 15 minutes total.