Panzanella with Pesto Chicken

 


Panzanella with Pesto Chicken


6 cups ciabatta or sourdough bread cut into 1 inch cubes

1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil

¼ tsp each salt and pepper

1 ½ lbs whole or cherry tomatoes cut into wedges or halved

½ red onion thinly sliced

½  English cucumber sliced into half moons

1 cup torn fresh basil leaves

Salt to taste


Dressing:

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 garlic cloves grated

½ tsp Dijon mustard

¼ tsp each salt and pepper


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with foil.  


Add bread cubes to the baking sheet and drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top of the bread.  Sprinkle salt and pepper.  Toss bread cubes to coat with oil and seasoning then arrange cubes evenly in one layer. Bake 8-10 minutes until the bread is crusty around the edges.


Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or in a mason jar.


Add tomatoes, onion, cucumbers and bread into a mixing bowl and pour dressing over the top.  Add half the basil and toss together until everything is coated with the dressing.


Add more salt  if needed.  Top with remaining basil.



Pesto Chicken


4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

½ tsp each salt and pepper

1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

 

Pat chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.  Season both sides with salt and pepper.


Add extra virgin olive oil to a saute pan or a grill pan. Heat pan to medium high heat.


Place chicken in the pan and cook for 6-8 minutes per side. Internal temperature should reach 165 degrees with a thermometer.  Allow the chicken to rest. 


Top chicken with your favorite pesto or make your own!



Pesto Recipe


2 cup of fresh basil

1/3 cup pine nuts

2 cloves of garlic

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3  cup Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste


In a food processor or blender, add basil, pine nuts, garlic and lemon juice and pulse a few times.  Scrape down the sides.  Turn the machine on and slowly add the extra virgin olive oil.  Scrape down the sides.  Pulse again until the mixture is smooth.  Add salt, pepper and parmesan and pulse a few times to incorporate.



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