Best Cilantro Pesto Chicken Tenders Recipes

PAN-SEARED CHICKEN WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the hot pan and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, place the pine nuts in a small dry skillet and set over medium heat. Toast the nuts until golden brown, about 3 minutes, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning. Transfer the pine nuts to a blender or food processor and add cilantro, sour cream, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process until smooth, adding water, as necessary, to create a thick paste. Serve the chicken with the pesto spooned over the top.

PESTO CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
• In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix pesto and mayonnaise. In another large resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix bread crumbs and cheese. Place chicken in pesto bag; seal and coat with pesto mixture. Place chicken in bread crumb bag; seal and shake to coat. Place chicken on cookie sheet.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink in center and bread crumbs are golden brown.

BAKED PESTO CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Whisk pesto and mayonnaise together in a bowl. Dredge both sides of each chicken tender in the pesto mixture and coat with bread crumbs. Arrange tenders on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn chicken pieces and continue baking until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 15 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

CHICKEN WITH GINGER-CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients in processor. Blend until nuts are finely chopped. Add 6 tablespoons oil and process until well blended. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; sauté until brown and cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.
• Transfer chicken breasts to plates. Top each with some pesto and serve.

CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Remove stems and seeds from jalapeños and large stems from cilantro.
• In food processor, place 1/3 cup of the pumpkin seeds and 2 cloves of the garlic. Cover; process until finely chopped. Add 1 jalapeño, half of the cilantro and 2 tablespoons of the lime juice. Cover; process until coarsely pureed. With food processor running, pour 1/2 cup of the oil through feed tube; process until smooth.
• Spoon pesto into medium bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining half of ingredients. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.