Homemade pesto coats every bite of JUICY chicken, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella in this chicken caprese salad! Ready in 20 minutes and loaded with flavor!
1cuptightly packed fresh basil leavesfrom about one 4-ounce container
¼cuppine nuts
¼cupfreshly grated parmesan cheese
1 to 3clovesgarlicto taste
1teaspoonlemon juice
1teaspoonkosher saltplus more to taste if desired
½teaspoonfreshly ground black pepperor to taste
⅓ to ½cupHemisFares Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Chicken
2tablespoonsHemisFares Extra Virgin Olive Oil
about 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breastdiced into bite-sized pieces
½teaspoonkosher saltor to taste
½teaspoonfreshly ground black pepperor to taste
⅓cuppesto
Caprese Salad
1 ½cupscherry or grape tomatoeshalved if desired
one 8-ounce container fresh mozzarella ‘pearls’ or small mozzarella ballsdrained
about 10 fresh basil leavestorn in half
1 to 2tablespoonsbalsamic reduction or balsamic glaze for drizzlingor to taste
Instructions
Make the Pesto:
To the canister of a food processor fitted with the S-blade, add the basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, lemon juice (helps pesto from oxidizing as quickly) salt, pepper, and blend on high speed momentarily to break ingredients down.
With the motor running, drizzle in the olive until the pesto is smooth and emulsified; set aside.
Make the Chicken:
To a large skillet, add the olive oil, chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium-high heat; stir and flip intermittently so chicken cooks evenly.
When chicken is about 90% cooked through, add the pesto, stir to combine, reduce the heat to low, and allow the chicken to simmer in the pesto for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until chicken is done (internal temp of 165F).
Assemble the Caprese Salad:
To a large bowl, add the chicken including the pesto/pan juices, mozzarella, basil, evenly drizzle with balsamic, stir to combine, and serve immediately. Dish is best fresh.
Notes
Extra pesto will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days, noting it will oxidize as time passes although the lemon juice helps to minimize this.