chicken pesto buns.

YOU GUYS. 

i did something amazing. 

i've literally been thinking about this recipe idea for the past two months, and a couple of weeks ago, i actually did something about it. 

and it was ~heaven. 

if you actually know me in person, you know that when something i create turns out the way i want it to, i have an endless stream of mini heart attacks any time i look at it. and i may or may not bounce up and down in excitement, smiling, laughing, and heaven-help-me, even squealing, because when the vision meets reality, it's like a little piece of heaven manifest in my kitchen. 

but whatever. 

chicken pesto buns 

i've been trying to come up with something to call these things besides 'chicken pesto balls' since i made them, and finally settled on the canadian word for rolls, i.e. buns. something this delicious just shouldn't be referred to as balls, amiright?

ingredients:

rhodes rolls
cooked, shredded chicken

kirkland pesto sauce (the best pre-made pesto i've ever tried. you can get it at costco and i am highly recommending it.)

italian seasonings

minced garlic

butter

shredded mozzarella cheese

parmesan cheese to top (optional)

1. lay your rolls out in a greased pan, cover with a greased piece of saran wrap and let them thaw.  when i make rolls out of these, i let them thaw and rise for about 4 hours, but i really only let these sit out for maybe 2? they were thawed completely, and risen just a little bit. 

2. while the dough is thawing and rising, take all of the other ingredients besides the cheeses and mix together in a bowl. i just cooked my chicken in a small saucepan with water, a little butter, and some italian seasoning for about 15 minutes before shredding it. also, i didn't really measure anything so....sorry, guys. but i used a couple tablespoons of melted butter, LOTS of pesto (the more the better), one large chicken breast, about a tsp of fresh minced garlic, and a few good dashes of italian seasoning.

note: if you prefer a bite-sized snack, follow this next step. if not, skip it.

2. cut each roll in half with kitchen scissors. (that was big, i know.)

3. flatten out your dough into little circles with enough room to add filling. not too thin though, or the dough will tear. 

5. add as big a spoonful as your dough can handle in the center, and a nice big pinch of mozzarella as well. and then probably add more mozzarella, because like, is there anything better than cheese? no. 

6. now you are going to grab the ends of your dough, stretch them into the center, and pinch them all together, like so:

(blurry, but you get the gist.)

7. once you fold all the balls buns up, place a whole crapload of them on one greased cookie sheet, because they barely expand at all. then bake them at 350° for about 15 minutes.
i totally don't know if that's how long i cooked them so.....

 


oh my gosh, i'm getting excited just by looking at them again.

8. when they are done, rub a little butter and sprinkle a little parm on top of each one, then dip them in some marinara sauce, and enjoy with friends! because food is like a thousand times better when your friends are there to compliment you on it uplift and edify your life by enjoying it with you.



also, i've officially decided that death by good food is the way i want to go, you guys. mmm.....