Irresistible Pesto Chicken and Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread You’ll Love

Pesto-infused chicken and creamy mozzarella create a delightful culinary experience on a perfectly crisp flatbread.

Mediterranean flavors dance across this rustic and elegant dish, promising a gourmet adventure for food lovers.

Home cooks and restaurant enthusiasts alike appreciate the harmonious blend of fresh ingredients and vibrant taste profiles.

The combination of herbaceous pesto, tender chicken, and smooth mozzarella elevates this flatbread from a simple meal to a memorable dining experience.

Carefully selected ingredients transform an ordinary flatbread into a sophisticated and satisfying meal that appeals to multiple palates.

Texture and flavor intertwine seamlessly, creating a mouthwatering canvas that celebrates the art of simple yet remarkable cooking.

Why Pesto Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread Rocks

• Whip Up Quickly: Perfect for busy weeknights, this flatbread comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal kitchen hassle.
• Flavor Explosion: Combining pesto-coated chicken, crispy shallots, and melted mozzarella creates a mouthwatering taste experience that elevates simple ingredients.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Professional-level presentation and gourmet flavors make this recipe feel like a high-end restaurant dish without complex cooking techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Great for casual dinners, game nights, or impromptu gatherings, this flatbread satisfies both adults and kids with its universal appeal.

All You Need For Pesto Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread

• Chicken Breast: Protein-rich base for the dish, ensures a juicy and flavorful topping.
• Mozzarella: Creamy cheese that melts beautifully, adds richness and texture.

• Flatbread: Crispy foundation for the recipe, serves as a delicious canvas for toppings.

• Pesto: Herb-packed sauce that adds intense basil and garlic flavor to the chicken and flatbread.
• Olive Oil: Helps crisp shallots and provides smooth cooking surface.
• Balsamic Glaze: Sweet and tangy drizzle that adds depth and shine to the final dish.

• All-Purpose Seasoning: Provides complex flavor profile for the chicken.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste of the ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and aromatic touch.

• Arugula: Peppery green that adds fresh, crisp finish to the flatbread.

• Shallots: Provides sweet and delicate onion-like flavor, creates crispy topping.

How To Prep Pesto Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread

Step 1: Prepare Flavorful Chicken

Season chicken with all-purpose seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden and fully cooked, about 10-12 minutes. Chop or shred the chicken and mix with pesto sauce.

Step 2: Create Crispy Shallot Topping

Slice shallots super thin. Fry in olive oil until they turn golden and become wonderfully crispy. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for extra flavor.

Step 3: Build Delicious Flatbread Base

Place flatbread on a baking sheet. Spread a light layer of pesto. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously. Add prepared pesto chicken and top with crispy shallots.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake flatbread for 8-10 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn slightly golden.

Step 5: Add Final Flourish

Drizzle additional balsamic glaze over the flatbread. Scatter fresh arugula on top for a peppery finish. Slice and serve immediately.

Tips For Better Pesto Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread

• Customize Chicken Texture: Shred or dice the chicken based on your preference, ensuring even distribution of pesto for maximum flavor in every bite.
• Substitute Ingredients Smartly: Replace flatbread with cauliflower crust for a low-carb option or use gluten-free naan for dietary restrictions.
• Prevent Soggy Flatbread: Pat chicken dry before adding to the flatbread and avoid excess pesto to maintain a crispy base that won't become wet.
• Master Crispy Shallots: Slice shallots uniformly and fry in a single layer to achieve golden, crunchy texture without burning.
• Control Cheese Melt: Watch the flatbread closely during baking to prevent over-browning and ensure the mozzarella melts perfectly without burning.

How To Reheat Pesto Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread

• Refrigeration: Store leftover flatbread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap carefully to prevent soggy edges and maintain crispy texture.
• Reheating Oven: Warm flatbread at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and crust becomes crispy again. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy bread.
• Freezing Option: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Quality Tip: Add fresh arugula and drizzle balsamic glaze after reheating to restore the original fresh flavor and prevent wilting.

What Goes With Pesto Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread

• Savor Crisp White Wine Pairing: Bright, citrusy sauvignon blanc cuts through the rich pesto and cheese, complementing the chicken's herbal notes with its refreshing acidity.
• Elevate with Sparkling Rosé: Bubbly rosé adds playful effervescence that balances the flatbread's creamy mozzarella and zesty pesto, creating a delightful flavor harmony.
• Match with Craft Wheat Beer: Light, slightly hoppy wheat beer provides a smooth counterpoint to the pesto chicken, enhancing the dish's herbal and savory elements without overwhelming the palate.
• Enhance with Italian Red Blend: Medium-bodied sangiovese or chianti offers subtle tannins that beautifully interact with the pesto's basil and chicken's protein, bringing Mediterranean warmth to each bite.

Creative Takes On Pesto Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace traditional flatbread with gluten-free cauliflower crust or almond flour-based flatbread for a celiac-friendly option.
• Vegetarian Variation: Swap chicken with roasted portobello mushrooms or grilled eggplant, maintaining the pesto and mozzarella flavors.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use large roasted zucchini slices or grilled bell pepper halves as the base instead of flatbread, keeping all other ingredients the same.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute fresh mozzarella with dairy-free cashew cheese or nutritional yeast for a plant-based version that still offers creamy texture.

Pesto Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread FAQs

• Can I use store-bought pesto?

Yes, store-bought pesto works perfectly fine and saves time. Choose a high-quality brand for the best flavor.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. They cook evenly and absorb the pesto flavor well. Chicken thighs can be a tasty alternative if you prefer.

• Do I need a special pan for searing chicken?

A regular non-stick or cast-iron skillet works great. The key is medium heat and allowing the chicken to develop a golden crust.

• Can I make this flatbread vegetarian?

Replace chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or portobello mushrooms. The pesto and mozzarella will still provide excellent flavor.

Delicious Pesto Chicken and Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired Pesto Chicken and Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Crisp flatbread layered with zesty pesto, tender chicken, and creamy mozzarella promises a delightful culinary journey you won’t soon forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts

Cheese:

• Fresh mozzarella, hand-shredded

Base:

• 1 fresh flatbread (from the grocery store bakery)

Seasoning and Flavoring:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) store-bought pesto
• ½ shallots, thinly sliced and pan-fried until golden
• All-purpose seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Garnish and Finishing:

• Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
• 1 handful of fresh arugula

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Instructions

1. Infuse the chicken with robust flavors by generously coating chicken breasts with all-purpose seasoning, salt, and cracked pepper.
2. Heat a skillet to medium-high temperature and pan-sear the chicken until a golden-brown crust develops, ensuring thorough cooking throughout the meat (approximately 10-12 minutes depending on thickness).
3. Slice or shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, then generously coat with vibrant, herbaceous pesto sauce.
4. Prepare crispy shallots by thinly slicing them and gently frying in extra virgin olive oil until they transform into delicate, golden-brown crisps.
5. Drizzle the caramelized shallots with rich, sweet balsamic glaze to enhance their depth of flavor.
6. Position the flatbread on a clean baking sheet and spread a thin, even layer of verdant pesto as the foundational sauce.
7. Distribute shredded mozzarella across the surface, creating a blanket of creamy cheese.
8. Artfully arrange the pesto-coated chicken pieces over the cheese, ensuring even coverage.
9. Sprinkle the crispy shallots across the flatbread for added texture and complexity.
10. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the flatbread until the cheese melts and develops a subtle golden hue (approximately 8-10 minutes).
11. After removing from the oven, garnish with a delicate drizzle of balsamic glaze.
12. Crown the flatbread with fresh, peppery arugula leaves just before serving to add a vibrant, crisp element.

Notes

• Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version that’s just as flavorful and satisfying.
• Use gluten-free flatbread or cauliflower crust for those with wheat sensitivities or following a low-carb diet.
• Prep chicken in advance and store in the refrigerator to save time during busy weeknights, keeping the meat moist by adding a splash of extra pesto before reheating

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg