Chicken Breasts with Pesto and Parmigiano Reggiano
Why I Love This Recipe
Cook’s tip: Use red pesto sauce or sun-dried tomato puree as an alternative to green pesto.
Ingredients You'll Need
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 tsp green pesto sauce
75g (3oz) Parmigiano Reggiano
12 fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp olive oil
500g (1lb 2oz) baby carrots, halved
2 peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks
1 large red onion, sliced into thin wedges
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 190°C /fan oven 170°C / Gas Mark 5
Using a sharp knife, slice a pocket into each chicken breast and open it up. Spread one teaspoon of pesto sauce into each one, and share the Parmigiano Reggiano between them. Top with the basil leaves, then close the pockets and secure with cocktail sticks.
Spoon two tablespoons of the olive oil into a roasting pan and add all the vegetables, tossing them to coat. Season with a little salt and black pepper to taste. Arrange the chicken breasts on top. Sprinkle the remaining olive oil over them, and transfer to the oven. Roast for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender. Serve at once.
