**Pesto Chicken Tenders: A Flavorful and Versatile Dish**
Pesto chicken tenders are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Made with tender chicken breasts coated in a flavorful pesto sauce, these tenders are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or as a fun and tasty appetizer. This versatile dish can be served with a variety of sides, including roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad. The pesto sauce adds a vibrant and herbaceous flavor to the chicken, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy bold and flavorful dishes. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. This article provides three different recipes for pesto chicken tenders, each with its own unique twist. Whether you prefer a classic pesto sauce, a sun-dried tomato pesto, or a spicy arugula pesto, you're sure to find a recipe that suits your taste.
BAKED PESTO CHICKEN TENDERS
Using only four ingredients and a few minutes of your time, these homemade chicken tenders are perfect for those busy weeknights. Basil, along with other ingredients in pesto, has many health benefits, and these are baked instead of fried, making them an overall healthier choice.
Provided by Soup Loving Nicole
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Baked and Roasted Breasts
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Whisk pesto and mayonnaise together in a bowl. Dredge both sides of each chicken tender in the pesto mixture and coat with bread crumbs. Arrange tenders on a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn chicken pieces and continue baking until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 15 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 293.5 calories, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 74.2 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 30.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 300.9 mg
CILANTRO PESTO CHICKEN TENDERS
Very good marinade for chicken! The chicken itself comes out very moist and full of flavor. Definitely one to try. Taken from Weber's Real Grilling.
Provided by tinebean21
Categories Chicken
Time 2h15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a food processor, finely chop the walnuts and garlic.
- Add cilantro, parsley, salt and pepper and process until finely chopped.
- With processor running, slowly add the oil to create a smoothe puree.
- Place chicken in large, resealable bag plastic bag, add the marinade and seal tightly.
- Make sure marinade is evenly distributed on all the chicken tenders.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Remove chicken from bag and thread on skewers.
- Grill over direct high heat for about 6 to 8 mins, turning over once.
- Serve warm with lime wedges.
TUSCAN CHICKEN TENDERS WITH PESTO SAUCE
Golden bites of breaded chicken? You can't go wrong! A green and red pesto sauce for dipping adds a flavorful accent and festive color. Serve the little tenders warm or at room temperature. -Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a shallow bowl, mix cornflake crumbs, 1/4 cup cheese and salt. Place 1/4 cup milk in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken in milk, then in crumb mixture, patting to help coating adhere. Place on greased racks in two foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pesto, garlic powder, pepper and remaining milk and cheese; top with tomato and basil. Serve with chicken.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 511 calories, Fat 34g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 826mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 36g protein.
PESTO CHICKEN TENDERS
Basil pesto and Asiago cheese flavor this savory tender.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
- In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix pesto and mayonnaise. In another large resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix bread crumbs and cheese. Place chicken in pesto bag; seal and coat with pesto mixture. Place chicken in bread crumb bag; seal and shake to coat. Place chicken on cookie sheet.
- Bake 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink in center and bread crumbs are golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 370, Carbohydrate 11 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Fat 3 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 400 mg, Sugar 1 g, TransFat 0 g
Tips:
- To make the best pesto chicken tenders, use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This means using fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can make the pesto by hand. Simply chop the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic until they are finely minced.
- To get the most flavor out of the chicken tenders, marinate them in the pesto for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- When baking the chicken tenders, be sure to cook them until they are golden brown and cooked through. This will ensure that they are juicy and flavorful.
- Serve the pesto chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. Some popular options include ranch dressing, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Conclusion:
Pesto chicken tenders are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for any occasion. They are made with simple ingredients and can be cooked in under 30 minutes. Whether you are serving them as an appetizer, main course, or snack, pesto chicken tenders are sure to be a hit.
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