Ryan and I are huge cilantro and lime fans. So, when I spot a recipe with the ingredients, I can almost guarantee I’ll like it.
And if you are a cilantro and lime fan, you just have to make this meal. It’s a bit of a mixture of a few recipes I’ve found on Pinterest. I made baked pesto chicken with this recipe last month and we loved it. (Check it out here.)
So, when I saw a recipe using cilantro lime pesto, I thought I could probably make it work in a similar recipe to the baked chicken. Let’s just say that I may have licked my plate. It was that good. I would eat it every night.
I’m clearly a food photographer. But my mouth was watering just looking at the picture. It was that good.
Here’s the scoop:
Cilantro lime pesto
via What’s Cooking, Chicago?
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves (do not include stems)
2 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sliced, toasted almonds
3 tablespoons chopped, fresh garlic
1 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 cup shredded asiago (Parmesan or Romano can be substituted too)
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup chicken broth
Pulse all ingredients together in a blender or food processor until it reaches the desired consistency.
Baked chicken with cilantro lime pesto
adapted from Kalyn’s Kitchen
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup cilantro-lime pesto (See above)
1/2 cup grated low-fat mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 375F. Trim all visible fat and tendons from chicken pieces, then cut each chicken breast lengthwise into 2 or 3 pieces.
Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with non-stick spray, then spread 1/4 cup basil pesto over the bottom of the dish. Lay chicken strips over the pesto, then spread 1/4 cup more basil pesto over the chicken.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (or use a baking dish with a tight-fitting lid) and bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes, just until chicken is barely firm and cooked through. (Don’t cook too much at this point, or the chicken will be overcooked by the time the cheese is melted and browned.)
When chicken is barely cooked through, remove foil and sprinkle chicken with 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese. Put dish back into the oven without foil and cook 5 minutes more, just until cheese is melted.
Serve hot. There will be some flavorful juice in the bottom of the dish when this is done, so you may want to serve with rice. (I made cilantro-lime rice and it was divine.)
Will you try it?
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Tiff says
I like you, I really like you. I am also a lover of healthy recipes and it looks like you’ve got a good eye for real, tasty food. Please check me out on fb http://facebook.com/healthxdesign and we can share ideas. Note: I am vegetarian but my family is not so I look for recipes where I can add the meat last.
Shannon says
I love cilantro and lime almost as much as you. The smell just makes me happy. So obvs. I making this. Soon. Thanks for being adventurous!
*claire* says
this looks fab! i love cilantro. might have to put this on tony’s list of things to make me. 🙂
Beth @ UnskinnyBoppy says
I LOVE the cilantro /lime combo! Have you ever had cilantro and lime on a mango? Just slice up a fresh ripe mango and sprinkle with C&L and chow down. YUM. It’s incredible, and like you, I’m drooling just thinking about it.
I’m so making this recipe. thanks for sharing!
Leigh says
Ha, funny we hate cilantro and only like lime in fruity drinks. Have you seen the avocado pasta on pintrest? It is supposed to be avocado, cilantro, lime. Mine was avocado, lemon and parsley.
Michael - Innkeeper says
so i’m usually not the biggest cilantro fan. i don’t know why?
but, every time i have the opportunity to try it i do in hopes that i will like it. i’m getting there.
this does look delicious though! maybe i’ll have to give it a try.
nice fiesta too!!! 🙂 that’s what i use!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Drooooooling!! That looks delicious!!!
Kristi says
Mmm. I love cilantro and lime, but the hubby isn’t such a cilantro fan. I may still try this out and see what he thinks. Too bad my cilantro is toast now and I will have to buy some. Oh well, next year.
Elz says
Ooh this sounds really good. I have to admit that I’ve never made, cooked or even tasted pesto before! I am pure southern! lol! I printed it out and if I feel fancy I’m going to try it! I’ll let you know!