Grilled Chicken With a Warm Tomato, Bean & Bacon Salad
"To make chicken breasts cook evenly & quickly, the chicken is cooked in a grill pan and weighted. Then served with a warm, summery tomato salad."
- Ready In:
- 30mins
- Ingredients:
- 14
- Serves:
-
2
ingredients
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus and extra 2 teaspoons
- 8 ounces grape tomatoes
- 14 ounces great northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 1⁄4 cup extra basil leaves (to garnish)
- 1⁄4 cup shaved pecorino cheese or 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (to garnish)
-
Basil and White Balsamic Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1⁄2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- 1⁄3 cup finely grated pecorino cheese or 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
directions
- Cook bacon slices according to the directions on the package (I like to cook mine in the oven in batches & then freeze them for later use). Coarsely chop & set aside.
- Combine chicken, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, salt & pepper together in a medium bowl. Place chicken in a hot, non-stick grill pan over medium-high heat. Place a heavy, cast-iron pan over the chicken to squash it down. If you don’t have a cast-iron pan, use a round cake pan & weight it down with cans or you could use a heavy saucepan & weight it down with cans. You want about 5 to 7 pounds on top of chicken. Cook chicken 5 to 7 minutes per side or until thoroughly cooked. Remove from pan; cover to keep warm.
- Heat remaining oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes to same pan. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are a little wilted & hot. Add a pinch of salt & pepper. Add beans & bacon, gently stir to combine. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until warm.
- Slice chicken, arrange on plate. Spoon tomato, bean & bacon salad over chicken. Drizzle with dressing. Top with basil leaves & shaved cheese if desired.
- To make the dressing: Place all ingredients in a tall, small bowl – I use the plastic container that came with my hand blender. Use a hand blender to blend until smooth. Or use an upright blender. Set dressing aside.
Questions & Replies
Got a question?
Share it with the community!
Reviews
Have any thoughts about this recipe?
Share it with the community!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
TheFreshAussie
United States
I'm a self-confessed food gypsy...I cook with big, bold flavors, discovered on my adventures around the globe writing cookbooks, food styling & hosting a TV cooking show. Fresh ingredients are essential. Casual food is paramount. My name is Lovoni & I'm The Fresh Aussie.
