Creamy Pesto-stuffed Chicken Traybake

By Lisa Faulkner
A couple of tablespoons of leftover pesto are put to good use in this Creamy Pesto-stuffed Chicken Traybake from Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner. Simply slice a pocket in the chicken breasts and fill with a…
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Time and servings

Total time
Servings
Prep time
Cooking time

Ingredients

10 total
  • 1 large red onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (approx. 550g), peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • 8 smoked streaky bacon rashers
  • 4 skinless chicken breast fillets
  • 2 tbsp of green pesto
  • 4 tbsp of soft cream cheese
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed or grated
  • 1 large courgette, cut into chunks
  • 200 g of cherry tomatoes

Method

4 steps
  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. Place the sweet potato and onion wedges in a large roasting tin. Drizzle with 1 tbsp oil and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast for 15 mins, tossing halfway through.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, mix together the cream cheese, pesto and some seasoning in a small bowl.

  3. Step 3

    Cut a slit in the side of each chicken breast to make a pocket, then push a heaped tbsp of pesto mix into each opening. Wrap 2 rashers of bacon around each breast (secure with a cocktail stick if you like).

  4. Step 4

    Remove the tray from the oven and fold through the cherry tomatoes, courgette and garlic. Make space for the chicken breasts and nestle them into the gaps. Drizzle with a little extra oil and roast for a further 25-30 mins, until the chicken is cooked through and golden. Remove from the oven and scatter over the basil leaves.