Savory Pesto Chicken & Olive Cherry Tomatoes
Delight your guests with these vibrant and savory Pesto Chicken Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes! Ditching the mayo, this fresh and flavorful appetizer combines tender chicken with zesty pesto, crunchy celery, and briny green olives, all nestled in juicy cherry tomatoes. Perfect for potlucks, gatherings, or as a light summer snack, these stuffed tomatoes are customizable based on your taste preferences. Whether you choose to top them with melted mozzarella or garnish with olives and basil, they are sure to impress and satisfy everyone at the table. Enjoy a burst of flavor with every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chunk chicken
1 (9 3/4 ounce) can (drained or 2-3 pieces of shredded cooked chicken)
Cherry tomatoes
6-12 (cored)
Pesto sauce
4-6 tablespoons (use canned, jarred, fresh, or homemade)
Celery ribs
2 (chopped small)
Green olives
6-12 (chopped small)
Olive oil
as needed (for moisture)
Olive juice
to taste (from green olives)
Salt
to taste (coarse salt recommended)
Pepper
to taste
Parmesan cheese
2-3 tablespoons (optional)
Romano cheese
2-3 tablespoons (optional)
Mozzarella cheese
as needed (for topping)
Instructions
1
Begin by washing your cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Use a tomato corer or a small knife to carefully core each tomato, removing the seeds. Once cored, place the tomatoes upside down on a paper towel to drain excess moisture.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the chunk chicken (or shredded cooked chicken), chopped celery, and diced green olives. If desired, add parmesan or romano cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
3
Gradually mix in the pesto sauce, starting with 4 tablespoons and adjusting to taste. Be cautious—pesto can be quite potent! If the mixture feels too dry, drizzle in a little olive oil to achieve the desired consistency.
4
Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste. If you prefer a saltier profile, consider adding a splash of green olive juice instead of salt.
5
Using a small spoon or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off, carefully fill each cherry tomato with the chicken mixture. Pack it in gently to ensure a good amount fits inside.
6
For a finishing touch, top each stuffed tomato with a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. If desired, you can place the assembled tomatoes under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7
Optionally adorn the topped tomatoes with a slice of green olive or a fresh basil leaf for an elegant presentation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Pesto Chicken & Olive Cherry Tomatoes dish?
It is a vibrant, mayo-free appetizer that combines tender chicken, zesty pesto, crunchy celery, and briny green olives inside juicy cherry tomatoes.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients used in this recipe, including optional items like parmesan and romano cheese.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a healthy, fresh appetizer that uses olive oil and pesto instead of mayonnaise.
Can I use canned chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use one 9 3/4 ounce can of drained chunk chicken.
Is it possible to use fresh chicken instead of canned?
Absolutely, you can use 2-3 pieces of shredded cooked chicken as a fresh alternative.
How should I prepare the cherry tomatoes?
Wash them thoroughly and use a tomato corer or small knife to core each tomato and remove the seeds.
Why should I place the cored tomatoes upside down?
Placing them upside down on a paper towel allows excess moisture to drain out before filling.
What type of pesto sauce is recommended?
You can use any variety of pesto sauce, whether it is canned, jarred, fresh, or homemade.
How much pesto should I add to the mixture?
Start with 4 tablespoons and adjust up to 6 tablespoons depending on your taste preference and the potency of the pesto.
What should I do if the chicken filling feels too dry?
You can drizzle in a small amount of olive oil to achieve your desired consistency.
Can I add cheese directly into the chicken filling?
Yes, adding 2-3 tablespoons of parmesan or romano cheese to the mixing bowl is an optional way to add extra flavor.
How is the filling seasoned?
The filling is seasoned with salt and pepper to taste; coarse salt is specifically recommended.
What is a good substitute for salt in this recipe?
A splash of green olive juice can be used instead of salt to provide a saltier, briny profile.
What is the best way to fill the tomatoes?
Using a small spoon or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off helps you carefully pack the mixture into each tomato.
What cheese is used for the topping?
Mozzarella cheese is used as a sprinkle on top of each stuffed tomato.
Do I need to cook these tomatoes?
While they can be served fresh, you can also place them under a broiler until the mozzarella cheese is melted and bubbly.
What are some suggested garnishes for the finished dish?
You can adorn the tomatoes with a slice of green olive or a fresh basil leaf for an elegant presentation.
Is this dish suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a perfect appetizer for potlucks, gatherings, or as a light summer snack.
Does this chicken salad use mayonnaise?
No, this recipe specifically ditches the mayo in favor of fresh pesto and olive oil.
How many cherry tomatoes does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed for 6 to 12 cherry tomatoes depending on the size of the tomatoes and the amount of filling used.
What kind of olives should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for 6 to 12 green olives, which should be chopped small.
How should the celery be prepared?
You should use two celery ribs and chop them into small pieces for a crunchy texture.
Is this recipe easy for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy and fresh recipe that requires minimal cooking skills.
Can I use Romano cheese instead of Parmesan?
Yes, both parmesan and romano cheese are listed as optional additions to the filling.
What flavor profile can I expect from this appetizer?
The dish offers a savory and zesty Italian flavor profile with a burst of freshness from the tomatoes.
How do I remove the seeds from the tomatoes?
You can use a small knife or a specialized tomato corer to carefully scoop out the seeds after washing.
Can I use olive oil to add moisture?
Yes, olive oil is listed as an ingredient to be used 'as needed' to ensure the filling stays moist.
Is this a good summer recipe?
Yes, it is highlighted as a light summer snack that is refreshing and uses seasonal produce like tomatoes and basil.
What type of salt is recommended?
The recipe notes that coarse salt is recommended for seasoning the filling.
How do I ensure the filling stays inside the tomato?
The instructions suggest packing the filling in gently with a spoon or piping bag to ensure a good amount fits and stays secure.