Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
Chicken caprese served with asparagus

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Caprese Chicken with Walnut Pesto

Recipe by Eric Jones

Caprese Chicken with Walnut Pesto layers tender chicken breast with homemade pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze.

  • Total Time18 minutes
  • Yield4 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb boneless chicken breast
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground thyme
  • 1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tomato, thinly sliced
  • balsamic glaze

Walnut Pesto:

  • 2 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup walnuts, shelled
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 whole garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt

Instructions

  1. For the Walnut Pesto, remove leaves from the basil stem and place them in a food processor (paid link) along with the garlic cloves and walnuts. Pour half of the olive oil into the food processor (paid link) and blend ingredients. Slowly drizzle in the remaining olive oil and blend until smooth. Add blended pesto into a bowl and stir in grated parmesan cheese, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. 
  2. Cut fresh mozzarella cheese into thick slices and cut tomatoes into thin slices.
  3. Cut boneless chicken breast in half lengthwise and season both sides evenly with Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, ground thyme, salt, and onion powder.
  4. Heat a cooking pan to medium-high heat and add the olive oil. 
  5. Cook chicken breast for 4 minutes on one side, then flip. Immediately layer the cooked side with pesto, mozzarella cheese, and one or two tomato slices. Cover and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
  6. Remove from the heat and drizzle balsamic glaze on top. 

Equipment

(paid link)

Notes

You can slice your boneless chicken breast in half for even cooking, or you can pound them flatter. The pounding will result in a larger-sized chicken breast. Both methods will ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly. The goal here is a thinner piece of chicken.

Fresh mozzarella slices melt well and evenly over the chicken breast. You can use shredded mozzarella, but the melt may not be uniform, and it does melt a bit faster. Mini or pearl mozzarella balls melt great as well.

Fresh pesto is fantastic, but you can purchase this premade.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Low Carb
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Calories: 513
  • Sugar: 0.8g
  • Sodium: 594mg
  • Fat: 36.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 4.6g
  • Fiber: 1.4g
  • Protein: 42.3g
  • Cholesterol: 116mg

Find it online: https://dudethatcookz.com/caprese-chicken-with-walnut-pesto/