Pesto Chicken and Mozzarella Spinach Salad
A vibrant, keto-friendly salad featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and tender chicken. Tossed in a rich basil pesto and topped with crunchy walnuts for a satisfying crunch.
The perimenopause lens
A cautious perimenopause lens
These tags explain why the recipe may appear in Lila. They are prompts for noticing your own patterns—not evidence that this meal treats a symptom.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthLow energy
Check how the whole meal lands
Food is one part of energy. Notice meal timing, sleep and symptoms together rather than assigning the result to one nutrient.
Track: energy 1–3 hours later
Appetite changes
Notice patterns without judgment
One meal does not determine body weight. Look at fullness, energy and repeatable eating patterns over time instead.
Track: fullness + meal rhythm
Brain fog
Add the missing context
Sleep, stress, meals and symptoms overlap. Seeing them together is more useful than crediting one ingredient.
Track: focus + previous night
Fatigue
Separate a pattern from one day
Notice energy alongside sleep, meals and symptoms across several days. Ongoing fatigue deserves a clinical conversation.
Track: energy + previous night
Before you start
Your 20-minute game plan
Gather everything first, then tap ingredients and steps as you go.
Equipment
Large skillet · Mixing bowl
Time saver
Batch prep: Cook 2 or 3 extra chicken breasts at once to keep in the fridge for instant lunches later in the week.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
One clear step at a time
0 of 5 steps complete
Next: Season the chicken breast generously with salt…
- 01
Season the chicken breast generously with salt…
Season the chicken breast generously with salt and black pepper.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat the olive oil in a skillet…
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (165°F). Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Tap card to mark done - 03
In a large bowl
In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella pearls.
Tap card to mark done - 04
If your pesto is very thick
If your pesto is very thick, thin it slightly with a teaspoon of water or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, then toss it gently with the salad mixture.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Top the dressed salad with the sliced…
Top the dressed salad with the sliced chicken and chopped walnuts.
Tap card to mark done
The nutrition underneath
Why this bowl holds together
Batch prep
Batch prep: Cook 2 or 3 extra chicken breasts at once to keep in the fridge for instant lunches later in the week.
Optimal texture
Optimal texture: Let your mozzarella sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before eating to enhance its flavor and softness.
Flavor boost
Flavor boost: If you have fresh basil leaves on hand, tear them over the top right before eating for an extra pop of fresh flavor.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.