Chicken Skewers With Tarragon Pistachio Pesto Recipes

CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH TARRAGON-PISTACHIO PESTO

Steps:

• Puree first 5 ingredients in processor. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and blend until slightly coarse paste forms. Mix in 2 tablespoons water. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer 3 tablespoons pesto to small bowl (for brushing chicken and vegetables); reserve remaining pesto.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush grill with oil. Thread 1 onion piece, 1 bell pepper square, 1 lemon slice half, 1 chicken tender (lengthwise), then 1 onion piece, 1 bell pepper square, and 1 lemon slice half alternately on each of 8 skewers. Brush vegetables and chicken on skewers with olive oil, then with 3 tablespoons pesto from small bowl. Sprinkle skewers with salt and pepper. Grill until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are slightly softened, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Serve with reserved pesto.

CHICKEN WITH PISTACHIO-PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• Cook fusilli according to package directions.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the broth in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook 5 minutes, until golden brown on all sides.
• Meanwhile, in a blender, combine parsley, remaining broth, pistachio nuts, and garlic. Process until smooth, adding more broth, if necessary, to create a sauce-like consistency.
• Add sauce to chicken in skillet and cook 1 minute to heat through. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately.

GRILLED CHICKEN AND MOZZARELLA PESTO SKEWERS

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a bowl. Put the eggplant cubes in a separate bowl and add the peppers.
• Sprinkle the chicken with a third of the orange zest, and some oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Toss well.
• Sprinkle the vegetables with another third of the zest, and some oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Toss well.
• Preheat a grill for cooking over medium-high heat. Build skewers, alternating chicken cubes with vegetables. Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are charred and tender, 2 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, place the mozzarella cubes in another bowl and sprinkle with the remainder of the zest, along with some oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Toss well.
• Thread the mozzarella cubes on the tops and bottoms of each of the skewers. Drizzle with pesto and serve immediately.

GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH TARRAGON AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken: Cut each thigh in half against the grain. Rub with salt and set aside.
• Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, salt and garlic. Reserve and refrigerate 1 cup marinade for serving. Put remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag and add the ginger, cumin and chicken; squelch around to coat thoroughly then refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 48 hours.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 1 hour before you plan to grill. If using wooden skewers, immerse them in water to soak for 15 minutes. Alternatively, use metal skewers or none at all.
• Prepare the grill: Clean the grate thoroughly and build a hot fire. The skewers will cook over intense, direct heat. The coals are ready when they glow red and the grate hisses when you drop water on it.
• Thread the chicken lengthwise onto skewers (if using), then smear with the marinade from the bag.
• Prepare the baste: Place the butter and salt in a small saucepan to melt on the cooler side of the grill (or use the stovetop). Once butter is melted, add the lime juice and chopped herbs; keep warm but do not boil.
• Grilling in batches if necessary, place the chicken on the grill a few inches apart. When you see a good char forming underneath, about 3 to 5 minutes, gently tug a skewer or the chicken: If it feels very stuck, leave it a few more minutes before turning. When the chicken releases easily and looks nicely charred in places, flip it using a fish spatula to gently pry any stuck bits off the grate.
• Baste the chicken with the herb butter and arrange the scallions in a single layer on the cooler edges of the grill. Let the chicken cook on the second side until firm and cooked through and turn the scallions occasionally until grill-marked and tender, about 8 minutes.
• Grill the pitas until marked, about 1 minute, turning halfway through. Lay them on the serving platter and place the scallions and chicken on top. Drizzle the bread, scallions and chicken with any remaining warm herb butter. Dollop chicken with reserved marinade, squeeze with lime and top with extra tarragon or mint.

PESTO CHICKEN KABOBS

Steps:

• Combine chicken pieces, pesto, and lemon juice in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag; seal bag and toss to coat evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Thread chicken, tomatoes, and onion alternately onto skewers. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat Panasonic Countertop Induction Oven to Medium-High on the "Grill" setting.
• Place the skewers into the grill pan and set the timer for 3 minutes.
• Turn skewers and cook another 3 to 4 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Allow to rest for about 5 minutes.

GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Blend first 7 ingredients and 6 tablespoons of oil in a food processor until almost smooth. Add almonds and process until finely chopped, but not ground. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Prepare grill (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Brush chicken with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Skewer each piece with toothpick. Arrange on platter and serve with pesto.

PESTO COATED CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• Thread chicken onto skewers.
• Place in a ceramic dish.
• Combine pesto and 1 1/2 tablespoons oil.
• Spoon over chicken. Turn to coat.
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes, if time permits.
• Preheat barbecue plate on medium heat.
• Place a piece of baking paper on barbecue plate.
• Barbecue skewers on paper for 4 minutes each side or until chicken is just cooked through.