Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipes

Steps:

• Pre-heat grill to high heat.
• Oil grill with light coat of oil (for charcoal oil before heating).
• Rinse chicken;pat dry.
• With sharp knife, cut a pocket deep lengthwise into the edge of each chicken breast. be careful not to cut all the way through.
• Season chicken with pepper.
• Spread 1 tablespoon pesto into each pocket.
• Fill each pocket with 1/4 of mozzarella balls and 1/4 of the red pepper slices.
• Spread remaining pesto over outside of chicken breasts to give it a light, even coating.
• Lay chicken on oil grill. Close lid.
• Cook until browned on bottom (about 7 minutes).
• Turn and continue cooking until browned on other side and no longer pink in center; about 7 minutes longer (carefully cut to test).
• Serve hot with some crusty bread, a tossed green salad, and fresh fruit.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Cut a pocket into each chicken breast. Evenly stuff pocket of each chicken breast with 1 slice mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon pesto.
• Beat together eggs and remaining 1 tablespoon pesto in a bowl. Place Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish. Dip chicken in egg mixture and then coat with Parmesan cheese. Place coated chicken breast onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices are running clear, 20 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Steps:

• If using Homemade Pesto, place basil and pine nuts in food processor. Cover; process a few times with on-and-off pulses. Add garlic; pulse a few times. Slowly add oil in stream while processor is running, stopping to scrape down sides of processor with rubber spatula. Add Parmesan cheese; pulse until blended.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• To butterfly each chicken breast, start at long side and cut in half horizontally, cutting almost but not completely through. Open chicken and flatten to resemble butterfly shape.
• Spread 1/4 cup Homemade Pesto onto each chicken breast; top each with 1 slice mozzarella cheese. Wrap chicken around cheese; secure with toothpicks.
• In large bowl, mix bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Coat chicken with bread crumbs; place in baking dish.
• Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Cut into slices to serve.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Line large, rimmed sheet pan with foil. Place wire rack on top of foil. Spray with cooking spray.
• In small bowl, mix pesto and Parmesan cheese. In thick side of each chicken breast, cut 3-inch-long pocket to within 1/4 inch of opposite side of breast. Spoon about 2 rounded tablespoons pesto mixture into pocket in each chicken breast. Brush olive oil on both sides of chicken, and place on rack. Sprinkle with salt.
• Roast uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and stuffing in chicken reaches internal temperature of 160°F.
• Meanwhile, in 1 1/2-quart saucepan, heat tomatoes to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 7 to 8 minutes, pressing with wooden spoon to break down tomatoes, until sauce thickens. Remove from heat; cover pan to keep warm.
• Brush chicken breasts with balsamic vinegar; top with mozzarella cheese. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with tomato sauce.

Steps:

• 1. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct, high heat (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above the cooking grate only 2 to 3 seconds; visit our Grilling Essential section for complete instructions). 2. While grill heats, with a sharp knife, cut a pocket lengthwise in the edge of each chicken breast half, taking care to avoid cutting through to the other side. Season chicken pieces on both sides with pepper. Spread about 1 tbsp. pesto inside each pocket, then fill each with 1/4 of the mozzarella balls and 1/4 of the roasted red pepper slices. Rub remaining pesto over exterior of chicken to coat lightly. 3. Place chicken on oiled cooking grate; cover gas grill. Cook, turning once with a wide spatula, until meat is browned and no longer pink in center (cut to test, but do not disturb filling), about 15 minutes total.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Cut a shallow slice lengthwise down the middle of the top of each chicken breast using a sharp knife, starting and ending about 1 inch from the end. Partially fold the chicken breast in half along the slice to continue shallow, horizontal slices on both sides; slices should resemble an upside-down capital T.
• Spread 1/4 of the ricotta cheese into each pocket. Place string cheese and pesto over ricotta. Season outsides of breasts with garlic salt, black pepper, and cantanzaro herbs.
• Place chicken in the prepared casserole dish and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).