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From-Scratch Cilantro Pesto Chicken

⏎ All Recipes

From-Scratch Cilantro Pesto Chicken

Fresh cilantro, pistachios, and Cotija cheese reinvent the classic basil pesto and serve as a sauce on tender chunks of chicken. Make a double batch of this non-traditional pesto and reserve for use on sandwiches, in pasta dishes and on pizza.

By Heather Cheney

Directions

Directions

  1. In an electric food processor or blender, blend cilantro, garlic, lime juice, cheese, chili powder and pistachios. Add ¼ cup of the olive oil and blend the pesto. Add more olive oil until the pesto reaches the consistency you’d like.
  2. Heat an Anolon Advanced Bronze 4 Qt. Square Sauté over medium high heat, season chicken with salt and cook until opaque throughout. Transfer to a bowl and return pan to heat. Spoon pesto into hot pan and bring to a simmer. Return chicken to the pan, stir to coat chicken in pesto and serve over rice, pasta, or tucked inside a tortilla.

Ingredients

Ingredients

For the pesto:

  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle chili powder
  • 1/3 cup shelled and roasted pistachios
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

For the chicken:

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Yield:

4 Servings