Monday, March 28, 2016

Cheesy Pesto Chicken

Who's planning their weekly menu, trying to find something new to try?  I've got something for you! 
 One of the first recipes I blogged about was my beloved Foil Packet Salmon.  It is a favorite around our house, but I understand not everyone is a seafood lover like me, so I tweaked it a little and made a chicken version.  It was a hit among my little family.  Here's the good news: this is low carb and Trim Healthy Mama friendly, but like all my THM recipe, it doesn't taste healthy at all!  If you are new here and want to read how I lost seventeen pounds in three months, click here.


Let's get started!  You will need: boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cherry tomatoes (I'm not a tomato person, but trust me, it's good combined with everything), jarred pesto, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.  



I spooned pesto over the top of each chicken breast and sliced the tomatoes in half and spread them across the pesto.  Mark said he thinks the chicken would have had more flavor if we would have marinaded it before cooking.  I told Mark,  if he wanted it done that way to do it himself  we would have to give that a try next time.


These measurements are detailed and technical, so pay close attention (please, note the sarcasm).  I grab a handful of mozzarella and place over each chicken breasts, then lightly sprinkle a little bit of shredded parmesan on top of the mozzarella.  It's all very technical...


Then bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes, or until chicken is done.  


It looked yummy when it came out of the oven, but I thought it needed just a hint of acidity to it, so I whipped up a balsamic reduction to drizzle on top.  I'm a HUGE fan of the store Oil & Vinegar, so of course, I opted for one of their yummy balsamic vinegars (No, this is not a sponsored post, I'm just slightly obsessed with their products).


To make a balsamic reduction, pour about a cup into a sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Once it is boiling, reduce the heat and simmer 10 minutes or until it is a syrup consistency.  Then drizzle over the chicken.  


I served mine over a bed of quinoa with green beans.  I hope you will check it out and let me know what you think!  

This week, I'm linking up with the following fabulous bloggers:

Tasty Tuesday at Barnabas Lane
Alesha & Mary at Delicious Dish Tuesday
Tasy Tuesday at Creative K Kids
The Bajan Texas at Pin Worthy Wednesday
Buns in My Oven for What's Cookin' Wednesday
Ashleigh at Wonderful Wednesday

Check their blogs out for more recipe ideas.  Have a great week!

Emily 
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23 comments:

  1. You had me at Cheesy!! Sadly my husband can't have pesto, but I'm sure I could figure out a variation to make this at home! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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    1. I bet you could use Alfredo or marinara sauce, too...

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  2. I cannot wait to try this !!!! Yum!

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  3. Emily... my Texas daughter LOVES salmon so I just her the link to your recipe as well as this one. She is moving into a new apartment and starting to cook. She took NO interest when she was young and her Dad was a chef. Both recipes look yummy. Have a great week.

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    1. If my Dad were a chef I probably wouldn't want to cook either!! I hope she tries the recipe out. It's easy & tasty.

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  4. This sounds divine and most importantly easy! I will be trying this FOR SURE! I've never made anything with pesto before but I've always wanted to try! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thanks, Lindsay! I love pesto and have found lots of uses for it. I add tablespoon or so in jarred spaghetti sauce to spruce it up, or use it as a pizza sauce. Yum!!

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  5. Hey Emily! You had stopped by my blog a few Fridays ago and I was able to find yours :) I am in Texas outside of San Antonio. We LOVE pesto around here, so I think I am going to have to try this one! We love salmon too, so I think I could do both! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by my blog, Kristen! I went to junior high & high school in Wimberley, and my dad lives in SA. We love it down there!

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you! It's so good & quick...the perfect week night meal.

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  7. This looks SO good. I've always wanted to make pesto flavored something but never have.

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    1. I attempted to make my own pesto once, but I usually go with jarred pesto. I've tried a few different brands & have never been disappointed. Let me know if you try it.

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  8. This looks delicious!! I love pesto. I will have to add this to my weekly menu.

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    1. Oh good!! I hope you love it as much as we did!!

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  9. Wow, wow, wow! I want to make this tonight! And I haven't wanted to make a thing lately...

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    1. I've been in a cooking rut lately, too! I guess that's why I haven't posted s recipe in a few weeks!! :)

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  10. I'm intrigued by this because I'm not a tomato person, either. I really want to be, though, so I might have to give this dish a try!


    I'd love for you to come link up at the The Alder Collective Link Party! http://bit.ly/1LYB1Zn

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    1. Thanks for letting me know, Abby! I linked up today! :)

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  11. I just pinned this before I even read it because I trust you so much after making your salmon.. now that I read it I'm so excited to make it!

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  12. Looks very tasty Emily - Thank you for sharing with Pin Worthy Wednesday

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