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Pesto & Polenta Chicken Recipe

If you're running out of entertaining recipes for dinner parties or special occasions, this healthy and easy-to-make pesto and chicken recipe is sure a hit! Your families and guests can indulge in without worrying about adding extra inches to their waistlines.

Ingredients :

Serves 4
Preparation time : 15 minutes
Cooking time : 10 minutes

  • 4 chicken breasts, about 125g (4oz) each

  • 25g (1oz) basil leaves

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

  • 1 garlic clove, peeled

  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

  • 25g (1oz) rocket leaves

  • 200g (7oz) instant polenta

  • salt and pepper

Healthy Easy Special Occasions Recipe - Pesto & Polenta Chicken

Method :

  1. Slice the chicken breasts horizontally through the middle and season all 8 pieces.

  2. Put the basil, oil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan and rocket together in a food processor or blender and process until finely chopped. Set aside.

  3. Cook the chicken under a preheated hot grill for 5-7 minutes until just cooked through and still succulent.

  4. Meanwhile, stir the polenta into 800ml (18 fl oz) lightly salted boiling water and keep stirring for about 2 minutes while it cooks. Stir the rocket pesto through the polenta.

  5. Serve the chicken slices on top of the polenta.

Variations :

For chicken with mixed vegetable mash, replace the polenta with 500g (1lb) potatoes and 250g (8oz) each swede and carrots. Boil the vegetables for 12-15 minutes until soft then mash to a creamy consistency. Swirl the rocket pesto through the mash.

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