Pesto Chicken Skewers Recipe

Pesto Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

For the Pesto Marinade:

• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Chicken Skewers:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
• Cherry tomatoes, for skewering
• Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden, soak them in water for 30 minutes before threading)

Instructions:

Prepare Pesto Marinade:

1. Make Pesto:
   • In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
2. Blend Ingredients:
   • Pulse the ingredients while gradually pouring in the extra-virgin olive oil. Continue blending until you achieve a smooth pesto consistency.

Marinate Chicken:

3. Combine Chicken and Pesto:
   • Place the bite-sized chicken cubes in a bowl and coat them with about half of the pesto marinade. Reserve the remaining pesto for later.
4. Marinate Chicken:
   • Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.

Assemble and Cook Skewers:

5. Preheat Grill or Oven:
   • Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat.
6. Thread Skewers:
   • Thread the marinated chicken cubes and cherry tomatoes onto the skewers, alternating between them.
7. Grill or Bake:
   • Grill the skewers for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, or bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and has a slight char.
8. Brush with Pesto:
   • During the last few minutes of cooking, brush the skewers with the reserved pesto marinade, allowing the pesto to coat the chicken.

Garnish and Serve:

9. Garnish:
   • Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill or oven. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.
10. Serve Hot:
    • Serve the Pesto Chicken Skewers hot, either on their own or with a side of rice, quinoa, or a refreshing salad.
11. Enjoy:
    • Enjoy these flavorful and aromatic Pesto Chicken Skewers!

Note:

• Customize the pesto by adding a squeeze of lemon juice or adjusting the quantity of garlic and Parmesan cheese according to your taste preferences.
• You can also marinate the chicken for a longer time for more intense flavor.
• Serve the skewers with a side of extra pesto for dipping if desired.

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