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    Home » Appetizers

    Chicken Pesto Fondue

    Jan 18, 2008 · Modified: Dec 17, 2020 by Andrea · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

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    Chicken Pesto Fondue - Andrea Meyers

    Fondue is a tradition in our family that goes back to the year Michael and I started dating. He surprised me at Christmas that first year with a gift of two fondue pots which we christened on New Year's Eve with cheese and bourguignonne (oil) fondues, so now we celebrate every New Year's Eve by staying home and making fondue for just the two of us. This year our celebration was off by a few days because we were out of town, but we still managed to put the boys to bed early and enjoy a quiet evening together. We make fondue at other times of the year, too, but it's particularly special for us as a way to ring in the New Year. Fondue for two...how romantic is that?

    We decided that the old pots had seen plenty of action (they were burned out in the bottom), so for Christmas we got two new electric fondue pots, which we think work great. In recent years we've moved away from oil fondues and now we make broth fondues, which are very easy and healthy. We marinate some meat, make a couple dipping sauces, add herbs and seasonings to a vegetable or chicken stock, and we're ready to fondue!

    This version has an Italian twist using sun-dried tomato pesto as a marinade, which we made using the fresh basil grown in the AeroGarden I've been testing and reviewing. We liked the flavor of the marinade, which also permeated the broth as the chicken cooked.

    I made the aioli using the fresh parsley grown in my kitchen and some roasted red peppers that I always have on hand. Jars of roasted peppers are very convenient, particularly in the winter time when fresh peppers can be expensive, but of course you can use fresh red peppers instead. Just roast the peppers in the oven or on the grill until the skins are black all over, put them in a plastic bag for a few minutes until the skins are loose, then peel off the blackened skin. I should have started the aioli earlier in the day, but I didn't get to it until just an hour before we were ready to fondue. The flavor improves with time, so make it at least a few hours before you need it or you can even make it a day or two ahead of time if you are planning a party.

    Grow Your Own logo, urbanOne important thing to remember about broth fondues is that the liquid does cook down, so make sure you have enough stock to cook all of the meat. The amount mentioned in the recipe is the minimum required, and having an extra cup or two available certainly won't hurt.

    This easy fondue recipe is my contribution to Grow Your Own #6. If you grow your own foods please feel free to join in! The deadline for this month's entries is January 29. Go to the Grow Your Own page for complete information on how to participate.

    Chicken Pesto Fondue - Andrea Meyers
    Print Pin

    Chicken Pesto Fondue

    Adapted from The Fondue Bible, by Ilana Simon.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Marinate Time2 hrs
    Total Time2 hrs 45 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Keyword: chicken, fondue, gluten free, tomatoes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 374kcal

    Equipment

    • food processor
    • medium bowl
    • large sauce pan with a lid
    • fondue pot with forks
    • small bowl or ramekin

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
    • 5 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
    • 3 stalks parsley
    • 1 clove garlic (peeled and sliced
      )

    Marinade

    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 2 sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
    • 2 tablespoons pine nuts (toasted)
    • 10 large basil leaves
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • sea salt (to taste)
    • fresh ground black pepper (to taste
      )

    Aioli

    • 1 clove garlic
    • 1 roasted red pepper
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
    • 4 drops chipotle hot sauce (optional)
    • sea salt (to taste)
    • fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
    US Customary - Metric

    Preparation

    Aioli

    • (A few hours before serving, or 1 to 2 days ahead) In the bowl of the food process, add the garlic, red pepper, parsley, olive oil, and lemon juice. Pulse several times, until smooth (the garlic and parsley may still be in small chunks). Add the chipotle sauce (optional), sea salt, and black pepper to taste. Pulse a few more times to thoroughly mix. Keep covered in the refrigerator, then allow to come to room temperature before serving. Serve in a small bowl or ramekin.

    Marinade

    • In the bowl of the food processor, add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, basil leaves, and olive oil. Pulse until the mixture forms a paste. Add sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
    • Put the cut chicken pieces into the medium bowl. Add the prepared marinade and toss until the chicken pieces are coated and the marinade is evenly distributed. Set aside for at least 1 hour. You can marinade the chicken up to 12 hours ahead of serving, just keep it covered in the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before serving.

    Broth

    • (Just before serving) In the large sauce pan, bring the stock to a boil, then transfer into the fondue pot. Make sure you do not overfill the pot (some pots have a FILL LINE marked). Add the parsley and garlic and heat according to manufacturers directions.

    Serve

    • When the broth is at a simmer, spear a piece of marinated chicken with a fondue fork and put it into the broth. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes depending on the size of the piece. (Chicken should be cooked all the way through before eating.) Dip the cooked chicken into the aioli and enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 718mg | Potassium: 823mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 367IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Share in the comments!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. steamy kitchen says

      January 19, 2008 at 8:31 am

      have you tried the chinese version of "fondue"? it's the Chinese Hot Pot...a big vat of broth and you cook your veg, seafood and meats in the broth. At the end, we throw in noodles and everyone gets a delicious bowl of soup from the broth.

    2. Andrea says

      January 19, 2008 at 9:14 am

      Oh, I love Chinese Hot Pot! I've done it in restaurants, and it's yummy. Thanks for reminding me to do that sometime!

    3. Ilana Simon says

      January 19, 2008 at 4:00 pm

      I am glad you enjoyed the pesto chicken fondue - it's one of my favourites. For those who enjoy Chinese hot pot, I would definitely recommend from The Fondue Bible recipes for Mongolian Hot Pot, Hot and Sour Fondue with Chicken, Thai Pork Fondue in Lemongrass Broth and any of the broth recipes. I have incorporated many ethnic flavours into my broth section and each one offers a fun and fab fondue experience. The paella fondue is perfect for a dinner party!

    4. one food guy says

      January 20, 2008 at 10:13 am

      I think you may have inspired me to break out the fondue pot that I never use, and have a fondue party! This looks great. Nana Simon's recommendations look great too.

    5. Andrea says

      January 20, 2008 at 10:54 pm

      Ilana, thanks for visiting! What an honor! I have many pages in your book flagged. That paella fondue looks wonderful!

      Food Guy, have fun with your fondue party! That's why we have two pots. 🙂

    Trackbacks

    1. Fondue Dinner Party Theme | The Finished Plate says:
      November 1, 2013 at 8:51 am

      […] Chicken Pesto Fondue by Andreas Recipes […]

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