Foil Packed Pesto Chicken Recipes

FOIL-PACK CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN & RICE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Spoon rice onto centers of 4 large sheets heavy-duty foil. Top each with a chicken breast.
• Combine cream cheese spread, pesto, tomatoes and milk until blended. Add artichokes; spoon over chicken. Fold to make packet. Place in rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake 30 min. or until chicken is done (165°F). Let stand 5 min. Cut slits in foil to release steam before opening each packet. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

FOIL PACKED PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place 1 chicken breast half, 2 sliced tomatoes and 1 sliced zucchini in each packet.
• Spoon 2 Tablespoons of basil pesto over each chicken.
• You can use 8 18 x 12 inch sheets of heavy duty foil if you don't want to purchase the foil packets.
• Make sure you double fold ends by folding 1/2 inch and then repeating the 1/2 inch fold.
• Remember to leave space on sides for circulation and expansion.
• Cover and grill packets 4 to 5 inches from medium heat.
• Cook 20 to 25 minutes or until juice of chicken is no longer pink.
• To serve, cut a large"X" across top of packet to let steam escape.
• This also can be cooked in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until juices run clear.

PESTO CHICKEN PUFF PASTRY PACKETS

Steps:

• Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a 1/2-inch thickness. Divide each breast into 2 even portions. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and until lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Remove garlic and discard.
• Cook chicken in the skillet until well browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Remove chicken onto a plate and coat with pesto. Cover the plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Unfold pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 14-inch square and cut into four 7-inch squares. Sprinkle an equal portion of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over each square; place a piece of chicken on top.
• Whisk egg and water together in a bowl; brush mixture over the edges of the pastry squares. Fold corners of the pastry over the chicken to the center and press to seal. Place filled pastries seam-side down onto a baking sheet. Brush with the egg mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

PESTO PACKET CHICKEN

Steps:

• In saucepan, combine dry pesto mix with water and olive oil.
• Cook 5 minutes.
• In individual pieces of aluminum foil, place one chicken breast half and equal amounts of veggies.
• Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper.
• Spoon 4 Tbsp.
• of pesto mixture over each packet and fold up.
• Place in 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to pkg.
• and drain.
• Add about 3/4 of remaining pesto mixture to pasta and toss well.
• To serve, place serving of pasta on each dish and dump the packet of chicken and veggies over top.
• Serve with leftover pesto mixture (opt.), and grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

PESTO CHICKEN AND POTATOES IN PARCHMENT PACKETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Slice potato very thinly, about 1/8-inch thick. Place slices in a bowl of water to prevent browning.
• Fold parchment paper in half to create two 15x12-inch rectangles. Drain potatoes and arrange 1/2 of the slices on the inside fold of the parchment paper in an overlapping semicircle. Season with salt and pepper. Top with 5 basil leaves and 1/2 of the onion slices. Repeat with the second piece of parchment paper.
• Place chicken legs over the onion slices, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with pesto. Carefully fold the parchment paper around the chicken, starting from one end, to create sealed packets. Transfer packets to a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until juices run clear, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer packets to plates and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before opening and serving.

GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN PACKS

Steps:

• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Place 1 chicken breast half, 2 sliced tomatoes and 1 sliced zucchini on one side of four 18x12-inch sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spoon 2 tablespoons pesto over chicken mixture on each sheet.
• Fold foil over chicken and vegetables so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again. Allow space on sides for circulation and expansion.
• Cover and grill packets 4 to 5 inches from medium heat 20 to 25 minutes or until juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Place packets on plates. Cut large X across top of packet; fold back foil.

PESTO CHICKEN GRILL PACKETS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium.
• Cut four 12-inch-long sheets of heavy-duty foil. Drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil into the center of each sheet.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Lay 1 piece of chicken in the center of each sheet and spread 1 tablespoon pesto on top.
• Mound one-quarter of the zucchini, tomatoes and scallions over each chicken breast. Dollop 3 tablespoons pesto over each mound. Fold the foil over the chicken and vegetables; pinch the edges to seal.
• Cover and grill the packets over indirect heat for 25 minutes. Remove from the grill and open carefully.

GRILLED PESTO-FISH FOIL PACK

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. In medium nonmetal bowl, mix tomatoes, olives and pesto.
• Place fish on 24x12-inch sheet of heavy-duty foil. Sprinkle salt and pepper over fish. Top with tomato mixture. Bring up 2 sides of foil over fish so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again, allowing space on sides for heat circulation and expansion. Fold other sides to seal.
• Place on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 20 to 30 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork. Top with parsley.