Basilpestostuffedchickenbreastswithsundriedtomatocream Recipes

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.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pound chicken between two sheets of wax paper, flattening to 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin or mallet.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Mix together cream cheese, two-thirds of garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes; then spread cream cheese filling over one side of each chicken breast.
• Sprinkle 3/4 teaspoon basil and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese over breasts; roll up and secure with a toothpick in each breast.
• Place in an 8-inch-square baking pan coated with cooking spray and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes.
• While chicken is cooking (or standing), combine plum tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, rest of minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon basil. Cut chicken into slices; serve bruschetta (tomato mix) over the slices.
• Any leftover bruschetta can be served with toasted or grilled French/Italian bread slices on another day for a great snack/appetizer!

STUFFED TOMATO BASIL CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, slice chicken breasts horizontally, without slicing them completely in half. Open the chicken breasts like a book. Place chicken and marinade into a large resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Place opened chicken breasts on a broiler pan. Place 4 basil leaves on the bottom half of each chicken breast. Top each with 2 or 3 tomato slices and 1 slice of cheese, and fold over top half of chicken (if necessary, fasten with toothpicks). Wrap 3 slices bacon around each chicken breast.
• Cook in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn chicken, and cook 15 minutes more. Remove from oven, and sprinkle chicken with Parmesan. Return to oven, and cook until cheese is melted, about 2 to 3 minutes.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PINE NUTS AND BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Cut a deep horizontal pocket in the side of each chicken breast. Make the pocket as large as you can without piercing the top or bottom of the breast. Rub pepper & salt over the breasts. Place 2 slices of tomato 1 teaspoon pine nuts and about 4 basil leaves in the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the pocket with toothpicks threading along the side to close. Heat the oil in a heavy oven-proof skillet until it begins to smoke. Cook each side of the chicken until golden brown.
• Add the vinegar and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and gently simmer the chicken for 2 or 3 minutes per side until cooked through.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and keep in a warm oven or under a foil tent. Continue to cook the sauce until it is reduced to a thick syrup.
• Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over each chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH BRIE, BASIL AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Slice open each chicken breast to create a pocket.
• Place a slice of Brie, 2 leaves of basil, and 2 sundried tomatoes in each chicken breast.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Roast the chicken for 25 - 30 minutes, until juices run clear.
• Some of the cheese may run out onto the pan, simply scoop it over the chicken when serving.