“`html
Chicken pesto wraps are a versatile meal that can be enjoyed hot or cold. Packed with a burst of flavors and nutrition, they are perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. This guide walks you through the preparation and assembly of this delicious dish. Let’s get straight into the steps to create these wonderful wraps.
Ingredients and Preparations
Vegetables and Herbs
- Lettuce: You’ll need about 1 to 1½ baby carrots or baby Roma lettuces. Stack these leaves, and then chiffonade them into thin strips. Chiffonade is a culinary technique where leafy greens or herbs are cut into long, thin strips. After chopping, rinse the lettuce to remove any dirt.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Measure out 200g of cherry or baby Roma tomatoes. Slice them in half or quarter them for smaller pieces.
- Garlic: You need one clove of garlic made into a paste using a microplane. This ensures a smoother mix in the sauce.
- Capers: One teaspoon of capers, washed but not rinsed, to keep the additional flavor. Roughly chop them.
Chicken and Pesto
- Chicken Breast: Use 1 kilo or 2.2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast. Butterfly the chicken by slicing it horizontally and then into half to create even-sized fillets.
- Pine Nuts and Parmesan: Blend 5g of pine nuts, 5g of Parmesan Reggiano, and 2 cloves of garlic. Then add about 2 cups of fresh basil leaves.
- Lemon Juice: Squeeze in the juice of one-fourth of a lemon, ensuring no seeds get in.
- Olive Oil: Add about three tablespoons (60 ml) of extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and cracked black pepper (ten cracks worth).
Blend these ingredients until you get a pourable but thick pesto consistency. Scrape down the sides of the blender bowl as needed, and adjust with more olive oil if required.
Sauce
- Mayonnaise: In a mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup of mayonnaise.
- Grated Garlic: Add the single clove of grated garlic.
- Grated Parmesan: Mix in 20g of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Chopped Capers: Include the chopped capers.
- Dijon Mustard: Add one teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Add one teaspoon of this sauce.
- Lemon Juice: Squeeze another one-fourth lemon, ensuring no seeds enter.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Season with salt and ten cracks of black pepper.
Mix all these ingredients together until well-combined and smooth.
Cooking the Chicken
- Seasoning: In a bowl, add one teaspoon of onion powder, one teaspoon of garlic powder, one generous teaspoon of dried Italian herbs, and a bit of chili if you prefer. Add two teaspoons of olive oil, followed by a generous amount of salt and twenty cracks of black pepper. Mix thoroughly with clean hands to ensure the chicken is well-coated.
- Searing: Heat a large pan over high heat. Add two teaspoons of olive oil. Place the chicken in the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd. Sear for 3½ to 4 minutes on each side until the center is cooked through. Let the chicken rest once done.
Assembling the Wraps
- Mixing the Vegetables: Once the lettuce is dry, add it into a bowl along with the cherry tomatoes. Incorporate two-thirds of the sauce and mix thoroughly with clean hands.
- Preparing the Chicken: After the chicken has rested for five minutes, slice it or dice it based on your preference. Add the pesto and mix until well-coated.
- Building the Wraps: Spread the remaining sauce over five burrito-style tortillas. Layer the pesto chicken (about 220g per wrap), then add the lettuce and tomato mix. Make sure to distribute the tomatoes evenly.
Wrapping and Storing
Wrapping Technique: Fold the tortilla over itself, tuck in the sides, and then roll it up tightly. Ensure any loose ends are tucked in to prevent the fillings from spilling out.
Storage: To store, wrap each tortilla in food-safe paper, airtight bags, or meal containers. These wraps can last up to four days in the refrigerator. Better enjoyed fresh, they can also be toasted if desired but are not recommended for freezing due to the lettuce becoming soggy.
Final Touch and Enjoyment
Serving: Slice the wraps in half diagonally for an attractive presentation. You’ll find the pesto chicken wraps to be juicy, flavorful, and visually appealing.
These chicken pesto wraps are highly customizable and easy to make. The combination of pesto, sauce, and fresh ingredients ensure a delightful meal, whether for a quick lunch or a light dinner. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors and add your own twist to make these wraps truly yours. Happy cooking!
“`
