Giadas Chicken Pesto Recipes

GIADA'S CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in the cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper to taste.
• The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

GRILLED CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PESTO PANINI

Steps:

• For the pesto: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast, tossing once, until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer the cooked broccoli to an ice bath and let cool, about 3 minutes. Remove from the ice bath and drain well. Transfer the broccoli to a food processor. Add the garlic, walnuts, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt and process until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually pour in the olive oil. Transfer the pesto to a small bowl and stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Cover and set aside.
• For the sandwich: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Grill the bread until toasted and golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Season the chicken cutlets with the pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt and drizzle with the olive oil. Place the cutlets on the grill pan and cook until golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Squeeze the lemon juice over the cooked chicken while it is still on the grill pan. Remove the chicken to a plate.
• To assemble the sandwiches, spread about 1 tablespoon of the pesto on each slice of bread. Place 2 pieces of tomato on 4 of the slices. Top the tomatoes with the chicken cutlets and the remaining slices of bread. Cut each sandwich in half to serve.
• Cook's Note: The pesto makes more than enough for the sandwiches. It can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

GIADA'S CHICKEN PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put half of the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use. Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread the pesto over each piece of chicken and serve.

GIADA'S BASIL PESTO RECIPE - (3.9/5)

Steps:

• Toast pine nuts on a cookie sheet in a 400°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a blender (I used food processor), pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper until finely chopped. With it still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

GIADA'S CHICKEN IN LEMON CREAM AND PENNE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cubed chicken with herbes de Provence, salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and set aside. Pour off excess oil from pan.Drain. Add the chicken broth the pan and cook over medium-high heat, scraping up any bits with a wooden spoon. Add the cream, lemon zest, and cayenne. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the pasta, chicken, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. Toss to coat the pasta and chicken with the sauce and serve.

PESTO CHICKEN TARTLETS

Steps:

• *It calls for the use of rotisserie chicken (the kind you get from a deli in the grocery store). All you would have to do is shred it up with forks since it's precooked. The dough for the tartlets could also be made ahead of time.
• Special equipment: 2-inch diameter scalloped cookie cutter.
• For the tartlets:.
• Make the polenta according to package instructions. Just before the polenta is finished thickening, add the cream, salt, and pepper. Pour the polenta onto a greased, rimmed baking sheet. Set aside to cool and firm up, about 30 minutes.
• For the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, pesto, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
• To assemble: Using a 2-inch diameter scalloped cookie cutter, cut the polenta into tartlet shapes, about 24, and place them on a serving platter. Top each polenta tartlet with a spoonful of chicken. Top the chicken with a few dried cranberries. Serve.