Mozzarella & Pesto Chicken
As my obsession with basil and pesto continues, I decided to throw together these mozzarella and pesto chicken breasts, along with some baked cherry tomatoes on the side. In case you also have more basil than you know what do with, which arguably, there is no such thing as too much basil, but I digress, here’s another great and easy recipe!
Ingredients/Recipe:
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Block of fresh mozzarella
Pesto
Shredded parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste
Cherry tomatoes (optional)
Putting it Together:
Pound out your chicken breasts, season them with salt and pepper, and then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Following this, put a nice thick layer of pesto over the top of each breast. Cut up slices of mozzarella, and line them over the pesto on each breast. Finally, sprinkle shredded parmesean on top of each chicken breast.
Optional (but recommended): If you are also baking the tomatoes alongside, slice up the tomatoes, and place them on the parchment paper on the side of the breasts, or, if you prefer not to mix and match, do them on their own baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Salt and pepper the tomato slices and then drizzle a little olive oil on them.
Bake in the oven at 400 degrees, for 25-35 minutes, length of time depending on the thickness of the chicken.
Serving
These breasts are full of flavor and filling with the pesto and cheese included, so can be eaten as a solo dish. If you do the tomatoes, they serve as a nice side, but can also be served on the top of the breasts. Other great sides with this are rice, potatoes, or a light salad.
You can also cut up the breasts after they are cooked, and serve on a crunchy bread/roll. These make excellent sandwiches as well.
Load of Crock Tip(s):
Pounding out the chicken breasts will be key, to ensure that they cook at a steady pace, to make sure the mozzarella does not burn by the time they are full cooked
This chicken is very good as a leftover; either warmed up and eaten as is, otherwise, it tastes great warmed up and then put in a soft tortilla shell, or served on a crunchy roll or bread as a sandwich
I love my pesto and I am not afraid to shout it from the rooftop! Or, at least from this website. I LOVE PESTO! Enjoy!