Saturday, February 7, 2009

Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breasts

My dad used to make me this yummy chicken dish, and I felt so grown up eating it. I was under 10, but this was one of my favorite meals!! Chicken, pounded thin, filled with a pesto- cream cheese spread and baked, then topped with bernaise sauce. It's divine!!! I was worried, though. I hoped it would still be as good as I remembered. Good news- It was!!! My husband and I were talking during dinner of the endless possibilities you could fill the chicken with- you could pretty much put anything you want in them. Try it this way first- then let your imagination have some fun!

Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breast
boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded thin
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 package dried pesto sauce mix
3/4 c cornflakes (I used Ritz crackers)
1/4 c bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. paprika

Mix pesto and cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper

mix bread crumbs, ritz cracker crumbs and paprika
Chicken breast pounded thin. I seasoned with salt and pepper
Spread the pesto cream cheese
Roll them up, secure with toothpicks and cover in cracker mixture
REFRIGERATE for at least one hour
I cheated. Sorry! I'm so cheap. When I looked up the recipe for bernaise sauce, I would have to buy 3 or 4 special ingredients just for the sauce. I knew the packaged sauce was good, and the dinner was just for us, so I just bought the package.
Bake the chicken for 25 minutes at 325.
Let cool for a minute, then slice. Cover with bernaise sauce.
I am thinking of a garlic-cream cheese spread next time.
What kind of filling would you like to use?

3 comments:

Pamela said...

This looks delicious and I agree with you on the packaged sauce. So much easier, and less expensive, than buying the unique ingredients for Bearnaise. I would like to try this with a thin slice of ham and a thin slice of Provolone cheese rolled up inside - I've also seen it done with chopped broccoli and a cheese sauce. There's also Chicken Kiev which I think is just a seasoned knob of butter placed inside.

I love your blog and look forward to trying many of your recipes.

Bon Appetit!
Pamela

jennifer said...

I was thinking something veggie-ish too, like broccoli.

Elmo said...

Hey swetie pie-
Glad you still loved the Pesto Chicken Breats. I always read your blog, just decided to jump in and start commenting. The last time I made it, was during Christmas season and I stuffed it with a sauted mix of sausage, sage, onion, and mushroom. It was great too.
I'm so proud of you and what a great blogger you are!