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Ultimate Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Melty Mozzarella

Close-up of a stacked grilled chicken pesto sandwich with melted white cheese oozing out between toasted bread slices.
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Make this café-style grilled chicken pesto sandwich at home in under 30 minutes. You get juicy grilled chicken, vibrant basil pesto, and gooey mozzarella cheese layered on toasted bread for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 slices artisan bread or ciabatta rolls
  • 4 tablespoons basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh arugula or spinach (optional)
  • 1 ripe tomato, sliced (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon butter or extra olive oil for grilling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Rub both sides with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Grill the chicken: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
  3. Assemble the sandwich: Spread 1 tablespoon of basil pesto on the inside of each slice of bread.
  4. Layer the ingredients: On two slices of bread, layer half of the sliced mozzarella, followed by half of the sliced grilled chicken, and then arugula or spinach and tomato slices, if using. Top with the remaining bread slices, pesto-side down.
  5. Grill the sandwich: Heat a skillet or panini press over medium heat. Spread butter or brush with olive oil on the outside of the assembled sandwiches.
  6. Toast until golden: Grill the sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula if using a skillet, until the bread is golden brown and the mozzarella cheese is melted and gooey.
  7. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, brush the inside of the bread with a thin layer of mayonnaise before adding the pesto.
  • If you do not have a grill, you can pan-sear the chicken in a skillet until done.
  • Use sourdough or focaccia bread for a richer texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/grilled-chicken-pesto-sandwich/