Best Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipes

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).

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.

BASIL PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO CREAM

Steps:

• For Pesto, wash basil and remove stems. In food processor mix basil, garlic, pine nuts, pepper and Parmesan. Blend until smooth and slowly add oil.
• Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. Place one slice prosciutto and 1 T. pesto on chicken breast. Tuck in ends and roll jelly style. Secure with toothpicks.
• Drizzle with 2 T. lemon juice, chopped garlic and olive oil. You may either grill these or bake at 350 for 30 minute.
• While breasts are cooking make basil cream.
• Sauté shallots in butter. Add wine and bring to a boil.
• Cook until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup Add cream and return to boil. Cook 8- 10 minute or until sauce is reduced to 1 cup.
• Whisk continually, add tomatoes and cook 2 minute Whisk in basil and lemon.
• Cook until heated thoroughly. To thicken sauce add cornstarch mixture slowly.
• Remove toothpick and cut the chicken breasts in slices to show off the center. Drizzle the chicken with sauce.
• **Serve this with your choice of pasta and dbl the sauce, or when it's just Dereck and I, I only make 2 chicken breasts and there is enough sauce for our pasta.

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.

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.

BALSAMIC-GLAZED STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PESTO AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cut a pocket 3/4 of the way through the thickest side of each chicken breast. Season chicken with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Pour 1 teaspoon sun-dried tomato oil on each breast, rubbing it and some of the seasoning inside each pocket. Fill each breast with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons basil pesto, 2 teaspoons sun-dried tomatoes, and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Insert 3 to 4 toothpicks diagonally into each breast to seal.
• Heat remaining 2 teaspoons sun-dried tomato oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add stuffed chicken breasts and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
• While the chicken is cooking, mix together balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic in a small bowl. Pour into the skillet around the chicken. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the balsamic glaze has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Spoon some glaze over each breast.
• Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and cook until cheese has melted and chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove toothpicks and drizzle with pan juices to serve.

PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Cut a shallow slice lengthwise down the middle of the top of each chicken breast using a sharp knife, starting and ending about 1 inch from the end. Partially fold the chicken breast in half along the slice to continue shallow, horizontal slices on both sides; slices should resemble an upside-down capital T.
• Spread 1/4 of the ricotta cheese into each pocket. Place string cheese and pesto over ricotta. Season outsides of breasts with garlic salt, black pepper, and cantanzaro herbs.
• Place chicken in the prepared casserole dish and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO AND FETA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Pre-Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
• Slice breasts and open out, using a meat mallet pound breasts, until of approximate even thickness.
• Spread pesto down center of each breast, place sliced sun-dried tomato down the center, top with feta, roll chicken breasts up and secure with prosciutto slices.
• Place breasts in an oven proof dish, drizzle olive oil over breasts and bake for about 30-35 Min's or until cooked through.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Pound chicken breasts to an even 1/4 inch thickness and set aside.
• Snap off tough bottoms of asparagus.
• Place in boiling water and cover for 1 minute.
• Drain, rinse with cold water; then pat dry.
• Cut asparagus 3 inch lengths.
• Cut cheese into sticks 1/2 inch high x 1/2 inch wide by 3 inches long.
• Set aside.
• Combine bread crumbs, parmesan and pine nuts in a bowl.
• In another bowl beat eggs with a fork.
• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
• Place a stick of colby and an asparagus spear next to one long edge of each breast.
• Roll breast around ingredients tucking in ends to form a neat package.
• Secure with a toothpick if necessary.
• Dip each package in egg and then in breadcrumb mixture.
• Make a double coating by dipping again into egg then crumbs.
• Place packages in a baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees F.
• While the chicken is baking combine pesto and cream in a small saucepan.
• Bring to a boil and reduce 2 minutes until lightly thickened.
• Serve pesto cream sauce over stuffed chicken breasts.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH GRUYERE & PESTO

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pound chicken breasts between sheets of waxed paper. Mix gruyere cheese, pesto, pine nuts, and green onions in a small bowl.
• 2. Spread 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast and roll tightly. Dredge chicken breasts in flour. Saute chicken breasts in heated oil at medium-high heat until golden brown, turning occasionally, for approximately 6 minutes.
• 3. Place chicken in pan and bake until chicken is tender and cooked through, about 20 minutes.

PESTO-MOZZARELLA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• 1. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct, high heat (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above the cooking grate only 2 to 3 seconds; visit our Grilling Essential section for complete instructions). 2. 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 tbsp. 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. 3. 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.

CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH PESTO AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine Boursin, 1/3 cup of pesto and onions in a small bowl.
• Spread 2 tablespoons of boursin mixture on one side of each flattened chicken breast (cover the entire breast, leaving 1/4 inch edge around each breast).
• Fold the chicken breast in half and gently pound edges to slightly seal.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium high heat.
• Carefully dredge chicken in flour, and salt and pepper.
• Place chicken in skillet and brown on both sides until golden (chicken will finish cooking in the oven).
• Remove and drain on paper towels.
• To the drippings in the skillet add wine and butter and deglaze pan, by gently scraping the bottom.
• Once the sauce has come to a boil remove from heat.
• Place chicken in a 3 x 11 casserole dish.
• Pour sauce over the chicken and dollop each breast with a teaspoon of pesto.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

MINT PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• 1. Place almonds, garlic and 3/4 teaspoon salt in food processor; process until ground. Add parsley and mint; process until finely chopped. With processor running, pour in oil; process until almost smooth. Add cheese; pulse until blended.
• 2. Make horizontal slit in chicken breasts to create pockets, being careful not to cut through the other side. Stuff each pocket with pesto. (Chicken can be made to this point up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• 3. Heat oven to 375°F. Place leeks, broth, carrots, butter and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in deep large ovenproof skillet; bring to a boil over medium-low heat.** Simmer 15 minutes or until vegetables are soft and liquid is reduced by about half. Stir in marjoram. (Vegetables can be made to this point up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• 4. Arrange chicken over vegetables; sprinkle with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Spoon some of the vegetables over chicken. (If chicken and vegetables have been made ahead, bring to a simmer on stovetop before baking.)
• 5. Cover and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
• 6. Cook vegetables in skillet first, and then transfer them, along with broth, to dish; arrange chicken on top. Cover tightly.