Cheesy Pesto Chicken

Hi Everyone,

How are you doing on this lovely Thursday?  I’m doing pretty good and I’m doing even better because I had this for dinner last night!

I know it’s no surprise to you that I love cheese, basil and tomatoes together, but how can I not?  The flavor combination is simply out of this world!!!  Topping it on chicken brought it up a whole another level!  I have to tell you this chicken dish that I am sharing with you is by far my favorite pesto chicken dish that I have made.  So moist, so flavorful, so cheesy and oh the pesto.  Don’t even get me started on the pesto!!

The basil for the pesto was freshly picked from my garden today and so was the tomato.   I have like a bazillion of them!  I also used real mozzarella cheese, none of the low-fat stuff, that I normally use.  I think it’s good sometimes to incorporate a little fat into your diet, especially if you eat non or low-fat foods.  Besides cheese is good!!

I marinated the chicken in 2 tbsp. of freshly made pesto and 1/4 cup of Chobani plain greek yogurt.  When you marinate chicken in a dairy product, it really tenderizes the meat, thats why I used the yogurt.  I also noticed it speeds up the cooking time by a minute or two.  Oh and I didn’t need a knife to cut the chicken, it was just that tender.  Amazing!!!

Want to hear something weird?  I was so excited to put the cheese on top!  I never did this before, but I have seen it on cooking shows.  What I did is covered the frying pan with a lid for a minute or so, and the cheese melted.  Oh my gosh I was so excited!!!  The cheese turned out perfect!!  You wouldn’t know that I sliced off a bunch of thin slices of cheese for this chicken dish.  I am so easily amused!  I felt like a real chef!!!  Told you I’m weird!

If you like pesto, cheese and tender chicken, then this is the dish for you!  I simply loved it.  The pesto was perfect.  I included the recipe for the pesto in the note section of the recipe in case you want to make your own or you can always use prepared pesto.  I like mine because I don’t use a lot of oil and it’s only 15 calories a tablespoon.  That’s the kind of pesto I like! It turns out thick, but if you want it more drippy add more olive oil to it.  You don’t need it drippy in this recipe because your mixing it with the yogurt.  Sorry I never took a picture of the pesto.

Cheesy Pesto Chicken

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

Tender chicken marinated in fresh pesto covered in gooey mozzarella cheese and topped with fresh tomatoes.

Serves: 2 Servings

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. prepared pesto or homemade
• ¼ cup greek yogurt, plain
• 8 oz chicken, skinless, boneless, split in half
• 2 oz mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup tomatoes, seeded, diced

Instructions

1. Take 2 tbsp. of the pesto and add it to the yogurt and mix well. Spread yogurt mixture onto chicken and marinade for 1 - 4 hours.
2. Spray a skillet with cooking spray and add the chicken with the marinade and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes per side.
3. Just before chicken is done add cheese and cover the pan with a lid for about 1 minute or until the cheese is melted.
4. Place chicken on a plate and top with fresh tomatoes.

Notes

Calories per serving including pesto and tomatoes: 226, Fat: 8.7, Cholesterol: 85, Sodium: 181, Potassium: 138, Carbs: 3. Fiber: .06, Sugar: 0, Protein: 34.7

Pesto Recipe:

2 Cups packed basil leaves,
1 Clove garlic,
1 tsp. Parmesan Cheese (reduced fat),
2 tsp. Olive oil,
1/2 tsp. lemon juice,
salt & pepper to taste

In a food processor add your basil, garlic, cheese and lemon juice and process until leaves broken up and then slowly add the olive oil. Process until smooth. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Makes about ⅓ cup

Calories per tablespoon: 14.6, Fat: 1.5, Sodium: .02, Potassium: 11.6, Carbs: .03, Fiber: .01, Sugar: 0, Protein: .01

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 4 oz chicken

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I didn’t even tell you, but this Cheesy Pesto Chicken would be wonderful as a sandwich, on pasta, over a salad or even on rice.  Oh the possibilities are endless when you have the perfect combination!

Time for me to go eat dessert!   I have my frozen Chobani waiting for me in the freezer.

Have a great day!

Toodles,

Jen