Airfryer Pesto Topped Cheesy Chicken

A great recipe for making a meal for just one or two, and my top tips on how to choose a healthier shop bought pesto sauce.

Skip to the bottom for a download link for the recipe.

Ingredients

·        Chicken breast

·        Breadcrumbs

·        Egg

·        Flour

·        Pesto (or any topping sauce)

·        Grated Cheese

·        Cauliflower

·        Olive oil

·        Paprika or spice of your choice

Method

1. Fillet the chicken breast to make 2 or 3 thin slices (see photo to give you an idea).

   
   

2. Chop cauliflower into small bite size florets.  Toss is olive oil and sprinkle on the spice or herb of your choice.  I like paprika.

   
   

3. Preheat air fryer to 180

   
   

4. Dip chicken in beaten egg, then flour and then breadcrumbs.  I often add some herbs and seasoning to the breadcrumbs.

   
   

5. Gently place the chicken breast on one side of the air fryer and the cauliflower at the other side. 

   
   

6. Air fry for 10-12 minutes.  Then spoon pesto or other sauce (even tomato puree) on top of chicken (just while still in the basket) and sprinkle cheese on top.

   
   

7. At this stage you may want to turn the florets (maybe even a bit earlier).

   
   

8. Air fry for another 3-5 minutes to suit the way you like your melted cheese. 

   
   

9. Serve with salad or extra veg.

   
   
   
   
   

   Chicken in breadcrumbs ready to be topped

   

   Topped with the pesto and cheese ready to cook

   

   The finished dish
   
   

Pro Tips

I often do this with just the plain chicken filleted and don’t bother the egg, flour and breadcrumb and it’s just as tasty. 

I also do this with salmon (no batter) and pesto and breadcrumb on top of the pesto.  Timings are similar, perhaps a bit longer as the salmon may be thicker. 

Of course you can make this in a conventional oven, timings may be just a few minutes longer.

Choosing your Pesto

Pesto in a jar is a processed food, and depending on how many ingredients and the type and quality of the ingredients can be classed as an ultra processed foods. I class this type of ingredient as a useful tool to make healthy food taste a wee bit yummy. You don't always need it but a little goes a long way, won't detract from the nutrient density in the other ingredients and it tastes so nice. If you've time make your own pesto of course (I never have time), but if you are buying one then interrogate the label for the best quality.

Make your own pesto?

When choosing a healthy pesto in a jar, prioritize one with a high quality olive oil as the primary oil, check for minimal added salt, look for a vibrant green color, check the ingredient list to ensure minimal additives, and opt for a pesto with a good balance of basil, garlic, pine nuts, and cheese, avoiding options with excessive cheese or unnecessary ingredients like sugar or stabilizers. 

Download the recipe