Best 7 Giadas Chicken Pesto Recipes

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Giada's Chicken Pesto is a flavorful and versatile dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. With its combination of juicy chicken, aromatic pesto, and a crispy Parmesan crust, this dish is packed with flavor and texture. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a more elaborate dish for a special occasion, Giada's Chicken Pesto has you covered.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

GRILLED CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PESTO PANINI



Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Pesto Panini image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup walnuts
Kosher salt
2 small heads broccoli, cut into florets (about 3 cups)
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon juice, from half a lemon
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
8 slices rustic bread
4 chicken cutlets
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice, from half a lemon
1 to 2 large beefsteak tomatoes, sliced into thick rounds and halved

Steps:

  • For the pesto: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast, tossing once, until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer the cooked broccoli to an ice bath and let cool, about 3 minutes. Remove from the ice bath and drain well. Transfer the broccoli to a food processor. Add the garlic, walnuts, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt and process until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually pour in the olive oil. Transfer the pesto to a small bowl and stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Cover and set aside.
  • For the sandwich: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Grill the bread until toasted and golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Season the chicken cutlets with the pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt and drizzle with the olive oil. Place the cutlets on the grill pan and cook until golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Squeeze the lemon juice over the cooked chicken while it is still on the grill pan. Remove the chicken to a plate.
  • To assemble the sandwiches, spread about 1 tablespoon of the pesto on each slice of bread. Place 2 pieces of tomato on 4 of the slices. Top the tomatoes with the chicken cutlets and the remaining slices of bread. Cut each sandwich in half to serve.
  • Cook's Note: The pesto makes more than enough for the sandwiches. It can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

CHICKEN PICCATA - GIADA DE LAURENTIIS



Chicken Piccata - Giada De Laurentiis image

This is a recipe from her weeknight dinner show. I love piccata and this is wonderful served over pasta and I served with salad and garlic bread. NOTE: Her recipe states to add 1/3 cup lemon juice, but alot of people that reviewed her recipe said it was too tart and would add less, so I suggest starting with 1/4 cup lemon juice.

Provided by diner524

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
all-purpose flour, for dredging
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (See note above in description)
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup capers, rinsed (brined)
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
  • In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.
  • Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 388.2, Fat 36.2, SaturatedFat 13.7, Cholesterol 84.5, Sodium 371.9, Carbohydrate 3.2, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 1.1, Protein 13.9

GIADA'S CLASSIC PESTO



Giada's Classic Pesto image

Giada's classic pesto is based off of the traditional version from Genoa - with basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan and olive oil.

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     condiment Salad Dressing sauce

Time 5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups fresh basil leaves, (packed)
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, (plus more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, (plus m ore to taste)
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a blender or food processor, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in the cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper to taste.
  • The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 6, Calories 289

GIADA'S CHICKEN PESTO



GIADA'S CHICKEN PESTO image

Categories     Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 boneless chicken breasts
2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
3 cloves of garlic

Steps:

  • Heat a grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put half of the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use. Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread the pesto over each piece of chicken and serve.

GIADA'S BASIL PESTO RECIPE - (3.9/5)



Giada's Basil Pesto Recipe - (3.9/5) image

Provided by á-2895

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Toast pine nuts on a cookie sheet in a 400°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a blender (I used food processor), pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper until finely chopped. With it still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

GRILLED CHICKEN MARGHERITA



Grilled Chicken Margherita image

Grilled marinated chicken, topped with melted mozzarella, pesto, and cherry tomatoes makes a delicious summer meal! Serve with rice or angel hair pasta.

Provided by France C

Categories     BBQ & Grilled Chicken

Time 4h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
4 fresh basil leaves, minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 slices mozzarella cheese
¼ cup basil pesto

Steps:

  • Gently pound chicken breasts into even thickness using the smooth side of a meat mallet, about 1/2 inch thick. Place chicken into a resealable plastic bag.
  • Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in a small bowl. Pour over chicken, coat evenly, and marinate for 4 to 8 hours.
  • Combine cherry tomatoes, basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat; lightly oil the grate.
  • Remove chicken from marinade and grill with the lid closed for 4 minutes. Flip chicken and grill an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon of pesto, then top with cherry tomatoes. Close lid on grill and continue grilling until cheese is melted and chicken is no longer pink inside, about 3 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Using a spatula, carefully remove chicken to a serving platter.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 470.7 calories, Carbohydrate 5.3 g, Cholesterol 121.8 mg, Fat 27.4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 49.4 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 652.1 mg

GIADA'S CHICKEN IN LEMON CREAM AND PENNE



Giada's Chicken in Lemon Cream and Penne image

This recipe is incredibly easy and delicious! The lemon makes it really refreshing--we've been enjoying it this summer. I've used different types of pasta (most recently linguini) and all of them have worked really well! A great week-night meal!

Provided by Kace83

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb penne pasta (or substitute your favorite type of pasta or spaghetti)
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon herbes de provence
1 pinch salt, plus
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups heavy cream
1 lemon, zest of
1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (I usually just sprinkle dried parsley, still tasts great!)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cubed chicken with herbes de Provence, salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and set aside. Pour off excess oil from pan.Drain. Add the chicken broth the pan and cook over medium-high heat, scraping up any bits with a wooden spoon. Add the cream, lemon zest, and cayenne. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the pasta, chicken, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. Toss to coat the pasta and chicken with the sauce and serve.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: This is especially important for the pesto, as fresh basil leaves will give it the best flavor. You can also use fresh thyme or rosemary instead of basil, if you prefer.
  • Don't overcook the chicken: Chicken breasts are very lean, so they can easily become dry if they're overcooked. Cook them over medium heat until they're just cooked through, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Use a good quality pesto: If you're short on time, you can use store-bought pesto. But if you have the time, making your own pesto is definitely worth the effort. It's easy to make and it tastes so much better than store-bought pesto.
  • Serve the chicken with your favorite sides: This chicken goes well with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice. You can also serve it with a simple salad.

Conclusion:

Giada's Chicken Pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. It's also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the pesto is flavorful and aromatic. Serve the chicken with your favorite sides and enjoy!

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