Monday, October 29, 2012

Cilanto Lime Pesto Chicken Tacos


via
This recipe is from Joelen over at What's Cooking Chicago 

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos - Makes enough for 4 tacos
Cooking spray for sauteing
2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (I used 3)
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup cilantro lime pesto (recipe follows)
flour or corn tortilla
preferred taco garnishes (salsa, sour cream, cheese, etc)

1) Season chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder. (I read ahead on the recipe and noticed the 1 1/2 tsp of Kosher Salt in the pesto, so I did not season the chicken with any extra salt. The extra salt was not missed.)
2) In a skillet sprayed with cooking spray, saute chicken over medium high heat and cooked through. 
3) Toss the cooked, seasoned chicken with the pesto. Fill tortillas with chicken and top with preferred garnishes. (I served mine with cheese, tomatoes and hot sauce. My hubby commented that sour cream and a diced onion would have added as well. I agree.)

*To make ahead/freezer meal - Cook chicken as directed above and cool. Place chicken in freezer bag. Prepare Cilantro Lime Pesto as directed below. Place 1/2 cup of pesto in a small storage bag then place inside the freezer bag with the chicken. Freeze. When ready to prepare, defrost and heat chicken. Toss chicken with defrosted pesto. If desired, heat chicken and pesto together before filling tacos.

Cilantro Lime Pesto - Makes 1 cup
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves (do not include stems)
2 1/2 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsps sliced, toasted almonds
3 Tbsps fresh, chopped garlic
1 1/2 tsps lime juice
1/2 cup shredded Asiago (Parmesan or Romano can be substitued too) (I didn't have any of these cheeses on hand. So, I used some leftover Wild Garlic Havarti. It was very, very good.)
1 1/2 tsps Kosher Salt
1/4 cup chicken broth
1) Using a blender, mix together the cilantro, olive oil, almonds, garlic, lime juice, cheese, salt and chicken broth on low speed for 2 minutes.

Nutritional Information:
4 servings
Amount per serving:
Calories:          416          
Fat:                    17g  
Carbs:             16.6g      
Fiber                 2.7g        
Protein:           46.2g 
Weight Watchers Points Plus Value: 10 

Thoughts: I LOVE THIS RECIPE!!! This was really flavorful. My Hubby and I both loved it. I have been looking for great and easy recipes to serve over the holidays when I have a houseful of people, and this just made it onto the list. For these reasons, I give this recipe 5 easy pins!


If you just hopped over here from Pinterest, Welcome! Feel free to check out any of the other recipes I have reviewed. And come back for another visit sometime soon. - Lynn

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