Crispy Parmesan breaded chicken filets top a bed of arugula with caprese-style mozzarella pearls, sweet roasted tomatoes, and basil dressed with an easy balsamic vinaigrette. Meal prep the chicken and tomatoes ahead to make this a quick lunch or dinner.
Course Salad
Cuisine Italian
Keyword chicken salad, parmesan chicken
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 20 minutesminutes
Servings 2
Calories 762kcal
Ingredients
6ouncescherry or grape tomatoes
2-3garlic cloves
1tablespoonolive oil
3 sprigsthyme
1boneless, skinless chicken breast
1tablespoonmayonnaise
⅓cupItalian breadcrumbs
2tablespoonsgrated Parmesan cheese
½teaspoongarlic powder
¼teaspoonkosher salt
¼teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
dashpaprika
6cupsarugula
6ouncesmozzarella pearls
1 tablespoonbalsamic vinegar
1teaspoonhoney
½teaspoonDijon mustard
¼cupextra virgin olive oil
¼teaspoonkosher salt
¼ teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
fresh basil leaves
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and scatter the tomatoes and garlic cloves on top. Toss with olive oil and season with a few pinches of salt and pepper and thyme sprigs. Roast the tomatoes for 15 minutes or until they soften and being to burst. Remove from the oven. Save one garlic clove for the dressing and discard the others with thyme sprigs and set aside.
Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F. Combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika in a shallow bowl. Use a thin, sharp knife to slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create two thin fillets. Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap on a cutting board, and gently flatten to about ⅜-inch with a meat tenderizer. Brush both sides of the chicken fillets with mayonnaise then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture and place on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until cooked through and the outsides are golden and crispy.
Drain the mozzarella pearls and place them in a small bowl. Make the dressing by whisking the balsamic vinegar, the reserved garlic (smash with a fork or mince fine), Dijon, honey, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper with olive oil. Toss a few spoonfuls of the dressing onto the mozzarella balls.
To serve, divide the arugula into two bowls with roasted tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and torn leaves of fresh basil then toss with some of the balsamic dressing. Slice the chicken and add one filet to each bowl. Season with more kosher salt and pepper and enjoy.