Hello, fellow food lovers! If you’re craving something indulgent yet incredibly satisfying, this Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes recipe is just what you need. Perfect for weeknights or a casual get-together, these warm, cheesy baguettes stuffed with pesto chicken are a crowd-pleaser. Plus, they’re so easy to make! Let’s dive into this flavorful journey.
Introduction
Get ready to fall in love with the delightful combination of flavors in this Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes recipe. With tender chicken fillets, vibrant red peppers, and a creamy red pesto sauce all stuffed into crispy garlic baguettes, it’s a dish that blends Italian and Mediterranean flavors in the most comforting way. Whether you’re a fan of garlic bread or a chicken lover, this recipe brings the best of both worlds together. It’s quick, easy, and downright delicious.
This dish also holds a special place in my heart because it’s a recipe I developed during a summer trip to Italy. I remember walking through the local markets, soaking in the aromas of fresh basil, garlic, and roasting chicken—it was there that the idea for this recipe was born!
Ingredients
To prepare this comforting Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes, you’ll need:
- 2-3 garlic bread baguettes
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 400 g chicken mini fillets (tenderloins in the US)
- 1 red pepper, very thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 190 g jar of red pesto (Tesco’s Red Pepper Cremosa Pesto recommended)
- 250 g bag of grated mozzarella & cheddar mix or just mozzarella
Note: If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, feel free to swap the garlic bread baguettes for a gluten-free variety. You can also use dairy-free cheese if needed!
How to Make Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes
Follow these steps to create your own delicious Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 200ºC (180ºC fan) / 400ºF / Gas 6. This ensures that your garlic bread gets nice and crispy.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat for about 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken mini fillets and cook for 3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the Veggies: In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium-low and add more oil if needed. Add the sliced red pepper and onion, frying them for 12 minutes until the pepper is soft. Stir often to prevent burning.
- Add the Pesto: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir in the red pesto sauce until everything is evenly coated. Remove from heat.
- Bake the Garlic Baguettes: While the chicken and veggies are cooking, slice the garlic baguettes lengthwise down the middle without cutting through completely. Place them on a large baking tray and bake for 7 minutes to get them nice and crispy.
- Assemble the Baguettes: Once the baguettes are ready, stuff them with the chicken and pepper mixture. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and cheddar mix generously over the top.
- Final Bake: Return the stuffed garlic baguettes to the oven and bake for another 5-6 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Cut the baguettes into halves or thirds and serve while they’re still hot and gooey. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Keep an eye on the garlic bread! Garlic baguettes can burn quickly, so make sure to pull them out as soon as they reach a crispy golden brown.
- Spice it up! If you like a bit of heat, consider adding some chili flakes to the red pepper and onion mixture.
- Switch up the cheese. For a more intense flavor, try using a mix of mozzarella and parmesan, or even gouda for a smoky twist.
Cooking Tips
- Use a large frying pan: This ensures that the chicken and veggies have enough room to cook evenly without steaming.
- Avoid overfilling the baguettes: While it’s tempting to pack them with chicken, leaving a bit of space will help the flavors meld together without spilling over during baking.
- Use pre-cooked chicken: If you’re short on time, pre-cooked chicken can be a convenient substitute.
Serving Suggestions
These Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes are perfect on their own, but if you want to make it a full meal, here are some pairing ideas:
- Side Salad: A fresh, crisp side salad with a light lemon vinaigrette complements the richness of the cheese and pesto.
- Potato Wedges: Oven-baked potato wedges are a great side that adds some crunchy texture to your meal.
- Drinks: A chilled glass of white wine or a refreshing lemonade would go perfectly with these hearty baguettes.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a brief nutritional overview of this delicious recipe:
- Calories: 450 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 700mg
- Potassium: 350mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Vitamin A: 20% DV
- Vitamin C: 30% DV
- Calcium: 25% DV
- Iron: 15% DV
Storage and Leftovers
Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: To reheat, place the baguettes on a baking tray in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes until warm and crispy again.
For creative leftover ideas, consider turning them into croutons for salads or slicing them thinly for a flavorful snack.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use a different type of pesto?
Absolutely! You can use green basil pesto or even a sun-dried tomato pesto for a slightly different flavor profile. - What can I use as a substitute for mozzarella?
You can try cheddar, gouda, or even parmesan for a more savory flavor. - Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply use gluten-free baguettes and ensure your pesto sauce is gluten-free.
Related Recipes
Looking for more delicious meal ideas? Check out these related recipes:
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy making and eating these Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes as much as I do! It’s the perfect dish to whip up when you want something comforting yet full of flavor. Don’t forget to experiment with different cheeses and pestos to truly make it your own.
I’d love to hear how your baguettes turned out! Feel free to leave a comment or share your own variations and tips.
Happy cooking!
Print
Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes
Description
Hello, fellow food lovers! If you’re craving something indulgent yet incredibly satisfying, this Cheesy Pesto Chicken Garlic Baguettes recipe is just what you need. Perfect for weeknights or a casual get-together, these warm, cheesy baguettes stuffed with pesto chicken are a crowd-pleaser. Plus, they’re so easy to make! Let’s dive into this flavorful journey.
Ingredients
- 2–3 garlic bread baguettes
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 400 g chicken mini fillets (tenderloins in the US)
- 1 red pepper, very thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 190 g jar of red pesto (Tesco’s Red Pepper Cremosa Pesto recommended)
- 250 g bag of grated mozzarella & cheddar mix or just mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 200ºC (180ºC fan) / 400ºF / Gas 6. This ensures that your garlic bread gets nice and crispy.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat for about 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken mini fillets and cook for 3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the Veggies: In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium-low and add more oil if needed. Add the sliced red pepper and onion, frying them for 12 minutes until the pepper is soft. Stir often to prevent burning.
- Add the Pesto: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir in the red pesto sauce until everything is evenly coated. Remove from heat.
- Bake the Garlic Baguettes: While the chicken and veggies are cooking, slice the garlic baguettes lengthwise down the middle without cutting through completely. Place them on a large baking tray and bake for 7 minutes to get them nice and crispy.
- Assemble the Baguettes: Once the baguettes are ready, stuff them with the chicken and pepper mixture. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and cheddar mix generously over the top.
- Final Bake: Return the stuffed garlic baguettes to the oven and bake for another 5-6 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Cut the baguettes into halves or thirds and serve while they’re still hot and gooey. Enjoy!
Equipment
2Pcs Heart Shape Cake Pans, Aluminum Heart Cake Mold, Reusable 10 inch
Buy Now →
Kids Chill Leak-Proof Lunch Box – Included Reusable Ice Pack Keeps Food Cold
Buy Now →Notes
- Keep an eye on the garlic bread! Garlic baguettes can burn quickly, so make sure to pull them out as soon as they reach a crispy golden brown.
- Spice it up! If you like a bit of heat, consider adding some chili flakes to the red pepper and onion mixture.
- Switch up the cheese. For a more intense flavor, try using a mix of mozzarella and parmesan, or even gouda for a smoky twist.
