Seared Chicken & Tomato Panzanella with Parmesan-Garlic Dressing

Step 1

1 Prepare the ingredients: If you’re grilling, preheat your grill to maintain a temperature of 450-500°F. Oil the grill grates. Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Large dice the baguette. If necessary, peel 1 clove of garlic (you will have extra). Finely chop the garlic; using the flat side of your knife, smash until it resembles a paste (or use a zester). Quarter the tomatoes; place in a bowl and top with half the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper; stir to coat. Halve the cucumbers lengthwise; thinly slice crosswise. Using the flat side of your knife, smash the olives; remove and discard the pits, then roughly chop.

Step 2

2 Make the croutons: Place the diced baguette on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Arrange in an even layer. Toast in the oven 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly browned and crispy. Remove from the oven.

Step 3

3 Cook the chicken: STOVE: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the Italian seasoning to coat (you may have extra). In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken and cook 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board. GRILL: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt, pepper, and enough of the Italian seasoning to coat (you may have extra). Drizzle with olive oil on both sides. Grill the seasoned chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board.

Step 4

4 Make the dressing: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cheese, remaining vinegar, and as much of the garlic paste as you’d like. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5

5 Make the panzanella & serve your dish: To the bowl of dressing, add the croutons, seasoned tomatoes (including any liquid from the bowl), sliced cucumbers, and chopped olives. Toss to combine; season with salt and pepper to taste. Slice the cooked chicken crosswise. Serve with the panzanella on the side. Enjoy!

Step 6

1 Prepare the ingredients: If you’re grilling, preheat your grill to maintain a temperature of 450-500°F. Oil the grill grates. Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Large dice the baguette. If necessary, peel 1 clove of garlic (you will have extra). Finely chop the garlic; using the flat side of your knife, smash until it resembles a paste (or use a zester). Quarter the tomatoes; place in a bowl and top with half the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper; stir to coat. Halve the cucumbers lengthwise; thinly slice crosswise. Using the flat side of your knife, smash the olives; remove and discard the pits, then roughly chop.

Step 7

2 Make the croutons: Place the diced baguette on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Arrange in an even layer. Toast in the oven 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly browned and crispy. Remove from the oven.

Step 8

3 Cook the chicken: STOVE: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the Italian seasoning to coat (you may have extra). In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken and cook 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board. GRILL: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt, pepper, and enough of the Italian seasoning to coat (you may have extra). Drizzle with olive oil on both sides. Grill the seasoned chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board.

Step 9

4 Make the dressing: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cheese, remaining vinegar, and as much of the garlic paste as you’d like. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 10

5 Make the panzanella & serve your dish: To the bowl of dressing, add the croutons, seasoned tomatoes (including any liquid from the bowl), sliced cucumbers, and chopped olives. Toss to combine; season with salt and pepper to taste. Slice the cooked chicken crosswise. Serve with the panzanella on the side. Enjoy!