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Healthy Chicken Pesto Lettuce Cups

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These Healthy Chicken Pesto Lettuce Cups combine fresh basil pesto with tender chicken and crisp lettuce for a quick, light, and flavorful meal perfect for lunches, appetizers, or light dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g), cooked and shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken can be used)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed (washed and dried)
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 head Bibb or Butter lettuce (small, tender leaves for cups)
  • Optional extras: cherry tomatoes, halved; red onion, thinly sliced; toasted pine nuts for garnish; fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. If not using pre-cooked chicken, season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Let rest for 5 minutes, then shred or dice.
  2. Make the pesto by combining basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan, and minced garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Slowly pour in olive oil while running the processor. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth but still slightly textured. Add a teaspoon of water or more olive oil if pesto is too thick.
  3. In a medium bowl, toss the shredded chicken with 3/4 cup of the pesto until evenly coated. Adjust pesto amount to taste.
  4. Separate lettuce leaves carefully, rinse gently, and pat dry. Choose larger leaves for cups and trim stems if needed.
  5. Spoon a generous amount of pesto chicken onto each lettuce leaf. Top with halved cherry tomatoes and thin slices of red onion if using. Garnish with extra toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves.
  6. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to enhance flavor. Handle lettuce leaves gently to avoid tearing and keep them chilled before assembling to maintain firmness. Store chicken pesto mixture and lettuce separately to prevent sogginess. Use rotisserie chicken to save time. Homemade pesto is preferred for best flavor but store-bought can be used in a pinch.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pesto lettuce cups, healthy chicken recipe, light meals, easy chicken recipe, low carb, gluten free, basil pesto, quick dinner

Find it online: https://avabake.com/healthy-chicken-pesto-lettuce-cups-recipe-easy-light-meals-to-try-today/