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Lunch recipe

Herby Chicken Pesto Salad Boxes with Cucumber

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Chicken pesto salad boxes with crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and a dressing packed separately.

Start planningStart cookingIngredients
20 min400 kcal2 base servingsFreshPackableLight
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Recipe and nutrition estimates

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Focus ingredients: chicken breast, pesto

Dietary fit: Lower Sugar

Serving tip: Keep the dressing separate until lunch so the leaves stay crisp.

Chicken Pesto Salad Boxes plated and ready to serve.

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Ingredients

What you need

  • 1 lettuce
  • 300g chicken breast
  • 95g pesto
  • 200g cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

You'll also need

bowl, knife

Method

Step by step

Up to 8 clear steps
  1. Chicken Pesto Salad Boxes cooking step 1: Get prepped.
    Step 1

    Prep the ingredients

    Wash and dry the lettuce leaves, halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces.

  2. Chicken Pesto Salad Boxes cooking step 2: Start cooking.
    Step 2

    Prep the ingredients

    Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss it with 1 tablespoon of the pesto. Hold back extra salt and black pepper until the final taste check.

  3. Chicken Pesto Salad Boxes cooking step 3: Build the flavour.
    Step 3

    Start the pan

    Cook the chicken in a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, turning until golden outside and piping hot in the centre, then cool for 5 minutes if packing lunch.

    8 min
  4. Chicken Pesto Salad Boxes cooking step 4: Bring it together.
    Step 4

    Bring it together

    Divide the lettuce between lunch boxes, keeping the cucumber and tomatoes to one side if packing ahead.

  5. Chicken Pesto Salad Boxes cooking step 5: Finish the dish.
    Step 5

    Mix the sauce

    Add the chicken and pesto in even layers so every box has a balanced mix.

  6. Step 6

    Finish and serve

    Pack the olive oil separately and spoon it over just before eating, then toss for 30 seconds. Taste once everything is assembled, then add a little salt and black pepper only if needed.

    1 min