Pesto Chicken With Sun Dried Tomatoes And Squash Recipes

PESTO CHICKEN WRAP WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water mixed with 1/8 teaspoon of the salt over the couscous in a small bowl. Cover well and set aside.
• To make the pesto: Combine the garlic, basil, olive oil, remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a blender. Blend well until smooth. Stir in the cheese.
• Toast the walnuts in a small heavy dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until aromatic, watching closely to prevent burning, about 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
• To assemble: Heat the tortillas, one at a time, directly on a gas flame, on a grill, or in a hot skillet, turning frequently, until hot and pliable, about 5 to 15 seconds each. Or heat, stacked between 2 damp paper towels, in the microwave for about 10 seconds per tortilla. Distribute 2 tablespoons pesto, 1/2 scant cup couscous, 3/4 to 1 cup chicken, and a quarter of the walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, and peppers evenly over tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll up into a wrap. Complete the wraps with the remaining ingredients. Or if you prefer, prepare all at once, assembly-line style. Cut in half on the bias.

ITALIAN CHICKEN PESTO WITH SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Sprinkle squash with Italian seasoning and place upside-down on a rimmed baking tray. Add about 1 inch of water.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes; strands of squash should easily pull away when scraped with a fork.
• Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Cook and stir sausage, uncovered, in the hot skillet until mostly browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Stir in broccoli and bell pepper. Reduce heat to low and add squash strands. Sprinkle basil, rosemary, and Italian seasoning, on top and drizzle with olive oil. Stir in 2 big spoonfuls of pesto, adding more to taste, followed by sun-dried tomatoes. Let simmer over low heat for 2 to 5 minutes. Serve.

CHICKEN, PESTO AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper, add to pan and cook for 5-7 minutes each side or until cooked through.
• Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
• Cook pasta according to packet direction, drain and return to saucepan.
• Heat remaining oil in pan, add tomatoes and toss for a minute.
• Thinly slice chicken and return to pan; add pesto and cream and toss over low heat til well combined.
• Add pasta and mix well, season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Serve accompanied with parmesan cheese.

BAKED CHICKEN WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500*F.
• Line a 13x9" baking pan with foil; arrange chicken in the pan.
• Combine the sun-dried tomatoes, 2 Tbsp.
• of the oil, basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and pepper in a food processor; whirl until smooth.
• Spread about half (around 1/4 cup) of the pesto over the chicken.
• Bake about 15-20 minutes, or until juices run clear; remove pan from oven.
• Heat the broiler.
• Spread the remaining pesto over the chicken; broil 6" from heat for 3-5 minutes, or until browned.

COLORFUL CHICKEN PESTO WITH ASPARAGUS, SUN DRIED TOMATOES AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in the angel hair pasta and return to a boil. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain well.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir chicken strips until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
• Pour reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet; cook and stir asparagus in the oil until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add yellow and red bell pepper strips; cook and stir an additional 2 minutes.
• Lightly toss the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cooked pasta into the skillet with chicken and vegetables; stir in pesto sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes and 2 teaspoons of Parmesan cheese to serve.