Pesto Presto Chicken Rachael Ray Recipes

PESTO PRESTO CHICKEN (RACHAEL RAY)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• In small bowl of a food processor, combine first 6 ingredients, except only use 1/4 cup of the Parmesan.
• Set aside.
• Butterfly the chicken breasts.
• Divide the cheese mixture on the chicken.
• Fold as with a book.
• Place on a non stick baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and place 3 slices of the tomatoes on each breast.
• Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
• Return to oven and bake another 15 minutes.

MEXICAN-STYLE PESTO

Steps:

• Char and blister the chile peppers by placing over a burner, an open flame or under a broiler, and turning until black. Place the charred peppers in a small bowl and cover until cool enough to handle. Peel and seed the peppers and add them to a food processor. Meanwhile, lightly toast the nuts and add to the processor bowl. Add the cilantro, spicy greens, marjoram, garlic, cumin, lime juice, a splash of stock, salt and pepper, and then pour in about 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil and pulse the processor to form the pesto sauce. Place in a container, cover, and store in the refrigerator for a make-ahead meal.
• To serve, place the pesto in the bottom of a large serving bowl. Heat a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta, salt the water, and cook the pasta to al dente. Just before draining, add a ladle of starchy cooking water to the pesto, drain the pasta and add the hot pasta to the serving bowl and toss 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately with grated Manchego on top.;
• To make stock: Place the cheese rind, herb bundle, onion, celery, carrots, lemon rind, bay leaves, chicken stock, and water into a pot and bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer at least 1 hour, and then remove the rind, herb bundle, and vegetables with a slotted spoon or strainer.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan to high.
• Toast the nuts lightly in small skillet over low heat, then add them to a food processor.
• Add the arugula, basil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste, and pulse to combine.
• With the processor on, stream in the extra-virgin olive oil to form thick pesto.
• Lightly pound out the chicken, then rub all sides with the pesto. Spray the grill pan with cooking spray or rub with a little oil and grill the chicken 2 to 4 minutes on each side.
• Cook's Note: Serve sliced on top of Caesar Spaghetti or, pile it onto ciabatta bread with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella for an outta-sight sammy.

PESTO MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Cut larger potatoes in half and leave small potatoes whole. Cover potatoes with water and bring water to a boil. Add salt and cook until potatoes are tender 10 to 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and return them to hot pot. Add broth or stock and smash the potatoes up. Add pesto and smash to desired consistency. Serve while hot.

CHICKEN GREEK-A-TIKKA SALAD WITH PARSLEY-FETA PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to high heat. Heat a toaster oven or oven to 250 degrees F.
• Wrap breads in foil and place in oven to warm.
• Combine yogurt and next 4 ingredients. Coat chicken in mixture then thread meat onto metal skewers. Brush grill pan with oil and grill meat 5 to 6 minutes on each side.
• Combine chopped lettuce, chopped veggies, olives and hot peppers on a large platter or in a serving bowl. Dress the salad very lightly in lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil and salt and pepper.
• Place all ingredients for pesto in the food processor except extra-virgin olive oil. Turn processor on and stream in extra-virgin olive oil.
• Remove bread from oven and cut into wedges.
• Place grilled meat on salad and top liberally with pesto. Place cut flat breads or pita wedges around the platter or serving bowl and serve.