Quick & Tasty Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe for Lunch Joy

Pesto chicken sandwiches represent a delightful culinary adventure that enhances ordinary lunch fare into something extraordinary.

Mediterranean flavors burst through each carefully crafted layer of ingredients.

Bright green herb spread creates a vibrant foundation for tender, seasoned protein.

Carefully selected components elevate this classic sandwich from mundane to memorable.

Rich, aromatic basil mingles with succulent meat, promising a taste experience that delights the senses.

Crisp bread serves as the perfect vessel for these harmonious flavors.

Fresh textures and bold seasonings combine to make this more than just another sandwich.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Pesto Sandwich

• Savor Flavor-Packed Layers: Each bite bursts with a delightful combination of juicy seasoned chicken, creamy mozzarella, tangy pesto, and fresh tomatoes, creating a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate.
• Enjoy Effortless Gourmet Preparation: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality sandwich with minimal cooking skills, using straightforward techniques like searing chicken and toasting rolls that even novice cooks can master quickly.
• Create Customizable Comfort Food: The sandwich offers flexible options for personalization, allowing home cooks to adjust ingredients, swap cheeses, or modify seasonings while maintaining the core deliciousness of the original recipe.
• Deliver Quick Weeknight Meal Magic: From start to finish, this sandwich comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect solution for busy families seeking a satisfying and impressive meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Chicken Pesto Sandwich

• Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender meat that serves as the main protein, best when fresh and of high quality.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that adds classic Mediterranean flavor to the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural taste.
• Avocado Oil: Healthy cooking oil with a high smoke point, perfect for searing chicken.

• Ciabatta Rolls: Rustic Italian bread with a soft interior and crispy crust, ideal for sandwiches.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy condiment that adds richness and moisture to the sandwich.
• Pesto: Vibrant green sauce made from basil, providing a fresh and herbal flavor profile.

• Mozzarella: Soft, mild cheese that melts beautifully and adds creamy texture.
• Roma Tomatoes: Sweet and firm tomatoes that provide juicy freshness to the sandwich.

How to Assemble Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Cutlets

Lay chicken breasts on a cutting board. Slice horizontally to create four even cutlets. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten any thick areas for consistent cooking. Ensure each cutlet is uniform in thickness. 🔪

Step 2: Season the Chicken

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Sprinkle seasonings generously over all sides of the chicken cutlets. Make sure each piece is thoroughly coated for maximum flavor. 🧂

Step 3: Warm Up the Skillet

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour avocado oil into the pan, swirling to coat the entire surface. Wait until the oil becomes shiny and hot, creating the perfect cooking environment. 🍳

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Carefully place seasoned cutlets into the hot skillet. Sear for 3-5 minutes on each side. Use a meat thermometer to check that internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). The goal is golden-brown exterior with juicy interior. 🌡️

Step 5: Rest the Chicken

Transfer cooked chicken to a plate. Let it rest while preparing other sandwich components. This helps retain the meat’s moisture and tenderness. 🍗

Step 6: Toast the Bread

Use the same skillet to toast ciabatta rolls. Place roll interiors face-down, creating a golden crispy surface. Toast in batches if necessary. 🥖

Step 7: Assemble Sandwich Base

Arrange toasted ciabatta halves on a clean surface. Prepare for delicious layering. 📜

Step 8: Spread the Creamy Layer

Apply mayonnaise to one half of each ciabatta roll. Spread evenly to create a smooth, rich base. 🥄

Step 9: Add Herbal Punch

Spread pesto on the opposite ciabatta halves. Ensure complete coverage for maximum flavor explosion. 🌿

Step 10: Layer the Chicken

Place a perfectly cooked chicken cutlet on the mayonnaise-covered bread. 🍗

Step 11: Add Cheese

Top each chicken cutlet with fresh mozzarella slices. Allow cheese to create a creamy, melty layer. 🧀

Step 12: Include Fresh Tomatoes

Layer Roma tomato slices over the melted mozzarella. Add a bright, fresh element to the sandwich. 🍅

Step 13: Complete the Sandwich

Carefully place pesto-covered bread on top, creating a beautiful flavor-packed sandwich. 🥪

Step 14: Final Grilling

Brush sandwich exteriors with avocado oil. Grill in the skillet for 2 minutes per side until cheese melts and bread turns golden brown. 🍳

Step 15: Serve and Enjoy

Remove sandwiches from skillet. Slice diagonally if desired. Serve immediately while warm and crispy. Savor every delicious bite! 😋

Tips for Toasty Chicken Pesto Sandwiches

• Slice Chicken Strategically: Cut chicken breasts horizontally for even, thin cutlets that cook quickly and ensure consistent texture throughout the sandwich.
• Season Generously: Don't be shy with Italian seasoning and spices; they create a flavor-packed foundation for your chicken, making each bite more delicious.
• Get the Right Sear: Wait until the skillet is truly hot before adding chicken to achieve a golden-brown exterior that locks in juicy moisture.
• Toast Bread Perfectly: Lightly toast ciabatta rolls to add crunch and prevent sogginess, creating a sturdy base for your sandwich ingredients.
• Melt Cheese Slowly: Cook sandwiches on medium heat to help mozzarella melt evenly without burning the bread, creating a gooey, irresistible texture.

Storing and Reheating Chicken Pesto Sandwich

• Refrigerate: Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap Carefully: Cover each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain texture.
• Reheat Gently: Warm sandwiches in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side, ensuring the cheese melts and bread crisps without burning. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy bread and rubbery chicken.

What to Serve with Chicken Pesto Sandwich

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the herbal pesto and creamy mozzarella, cutting through the richness of the chicken and cheese.
• Serve with Bright Citrus Salad: A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette adds fresh, zesty notes that balance the sandwich's hearty flavors and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Sparkling Water Infusion: Cucumber or basil-infused sparkling water enhances the herb-forward pesto and cleanses the palate between bites, making each mouthful feel light and vibrant.
• Accompany with Crunchy Pickle Spears: Tangy, crisp dill pickles provide a sharp counterpoint to the creamy sandwich, adding texture and a bright acidic element that cuts through the richness.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich Variations for Any Mood

• Mediterranean Marvel: Swap chicken with grilled lamb, replace mozzarella with feta cheese, and add sliced kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired sandwich.
• Spicy Southwestern Spin: Use chipotle mayo instead of regular mayonnaise, add pepper jack cheese, and include roasted green chiles for a zesty kick.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms, keep the pesto, and add roasted red peppers for extra flavor and texture.
• California Fresh: Include sliced avocado, swap mozzarella with goat cheese, and add a handful of fresh arugula for a light, crisp version of the original sandwich.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Italian-inspired chicken pesto sandwich delivers pure Mediterranean flavor in one delightful bite. Layers of herbal pesto, grilled chicken, and crisp vegetables create a perfect lunch that will transport your taste buds to coastal Italy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound / 454 grams)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Seasonings:

• Salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Cooking Oils:

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• Avocado oil, for brushing

Sandwich Components:

• 4 ciabatta rolls, sliced in half horizontally
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise, divided (optional)
• ⅓ cup pesto, divided
• 6 ounces (170 grams) fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 4 Roma tomatoes, sliced

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Instructions

1. Carefully slice chicken breasts horizontally to create even, thin cutlets, ensuring uniform thickness by gently pounding with a meat mallet if necessary.
2. Season chicken cutlets thoroughly with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, coating all surfaces to enhance flavor profile.
3. Warm a skillet over medium-high heat, adding avocado oil and allowing it to shimmer and distribute evenly across the cooking surface.
4. Sear seasoned chicken cutlets in the hot skillet, cooking each side for 3-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring complete and safe cooking.
5. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate, allowing slight resting time to retain moisture.
6. Toast ciabatta roll halves in the same skillet, positioning cut-side down to achieve a golden, crispy texture.
7. Prepare sandwich assembly by laying out toasted ciabatta halves with inner surfaces facing upward.
8. Spread mayonnaise generously across one half of each ciabatta roll, creating a creamy base layer.
9. Apply pesto evenly on the corresponding roll halves, distributing the herbal sauce across the entire surface.
10. Layer each mayonnaise-coated roll with a perfectly cooked chicken cutlet.
11. Add fresh mozzarella slices atop the chicken, allowing the cheese to slightly overlap the meat.
12. Arrange tomato slices carefully on top of the mozzarella, providing a fresh and juicy element.
13. Complete the sandwich by placing the pesto-covered roll halves on top, creating a harmonious flavor combination.
14. Lightly brush exterior of sandwiches with avocado oil to promote even browning and added richness.
15. Grill sandwiches in the skillet, cooking each side for approximately 2 minutes to melt cheese and warm ingredients thoroughly.
16. Remove sandwiches from heat, slice diagonally if desired, and serve immediately while ingredients remain warm and textures are optimal.

Notes

• Slice chicken breasts horizontally for even, tender cutlets that cook quickly and consistently.
• Season chicken generously with Italian herbs to infuse deep, aromatic flavors throughout the meat.
• Toasting ciabatta rolls in the same skillet adds extra flavor and creates a perfect golden-crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 640
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg