Zesty Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe: Fresh & Flavorful Delight

Crafting a mouthwatering chicken pesto sandwich sparks culinary excitement in every home cook’s heart.

Fresh basil leaves blend perfectly with tender grilled chicken.

Crisp bread provides the ideal canvas for this Mediterranean-inspired creation.

Layers of vibrant ingredients promise a delightful lunch adventure.

Simple yet sophisticated, this sandwich combines classic flavors with modern flair.

Creamy pesto coats each bite with herbal richness.

You’ll want to savor every delicious moment of this easy-to-assemble meal.

Why Chicken Pesto Sandwich Is A Flavor Favorite

• Quick Cooking Adventure: Prepare a gourmet-style sandwich without complex culinary skills, perfect for anyone wanting a delicious meal in minutes.
• Flavor Explosion: Combine bold pesto, tender chicken, and creamy provolone cheese for a mouthwatering taste experience that tantalizes your taste buds.
• Versatile Meal Option: Ideal for lunch, dinner, or a satisfying midday snack that works well for busy professionals, students, and families seeking a nutritious and delectable meal.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Create a professional-grade sandwich without expensive ingredients or complicated techniques, bringing restaurant-level deliciousness directly to your kitchen.

What You Need For Chicken Pesto Sandwich

• Chicken Breast: A tender and lean protein that serves as the primary filling for the sandwich.

• Bread Slices: The foundation of the sandwich, providing structure and a crisp texture when toasted.

• Mayonnaise, Pesto Sauce: Creamy condiments that add moisture and rich herbal flavor to the sandwich.
• Provolone Cheese: A mild, melty cheese that provides a smooth and subtle dairy element.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that heighten the overall taste profile of the sandwich.

• Fresh Basil Leaves: A fragrant herb that adds a bright, aromatic finish to the sandwich.

Easy Steps To Make Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Grab a chicken breast and cook it on a grill or skillet until it reaches a perfect golden brown. Ensure the internal temperature hits 165°F, which typically takes about 6-8 minutes on each side.

Step 2: Rest and Slice Chicken

Let the cooked chicken rest for 3-4 minutes, then slice it thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness and easy eating.

Step 3: Toast Bread

Place bread slices in a toaster or skillet, transforming them into crispy, golden platforms for your delicious sandwich.

Step 4: Apply Creamy Spread

Spread a luxurious layer of mayonnaise across each toasted bread slice, creating a smooth and rich foundation.

Step 5: Add Vibrant Pesto

Generously coat one bread slice with bright green pesto sauce, covering every inch for maximum flavor.

Step 6: Layer Chicken

Arrange the sliced chicken evenly over the pesto-covered bread, creating a protein-packed base.

Step 7: Melt Cheese

Place provolone cheese on top of the chicken, allowing the residual warmth to create a slight melting effect.

Step 8: Season Generously

Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the cheese to elevate the taste profile.

Step 9: Garnish with Basil

Tear fresh basil leaves into small pieces and scatter them across the sandwich, adding a burst of aromatic freshness.

Step 10: Complete the Sandwich

Top the layered ingredients with the second bread slice, mayonnaise side facing down, creating a perfect handheld meal.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the sandwich diagonally and serve immediately while the ingredients are warm and the cheese remains soft and inviting.

Top Tips For Chicken Pesto Sandwich Success

• Slice Chicken Precisely: Cut chicken against the grain for tender, easy-to-bite pieces that enhance sandwich texture and eating experience.
• Master Pesto Spread: Apply pesto generously and evenly to ensure each bite delivers rich, herbaceous flavor throughout the sandwich.
• Control Bread Toasting: Toast bread until golden brown but not burnt, creating a crisp foundation that supports sandwich ingredients without becoming too hard.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Let residual chicken heat slightly melt provolone, which adds creaminess and helps cheese adhere to other ingredients.
• Fresh Herb Enhancement: Use fresh basil leaves torn by hand to release natural oils, boosting the sandwich's aromatic profile and providing bright, garden-fresh taste.

Fun Ways To Change Chicken Pesto Sandwich Up

• Mediterranean Marvel: Replace provolone with feta cheese, add sliced cucumber, and use olive tapenade instead of pesto for a Greek-inspired sandwich.
• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Swap pesto with chipotle mayo, add pepper jack cheese, include roasted green chiles, and top with fresh cilantro.
• Caprese Companion: Layer fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and swap regular pesto with sun-dried tomato pesto for an Italian-style sandwich.
• California Fresh: Add sliced avocado, substitute provolone with white cheddar, use arugula instead of basil, and spread a light garlic aioli for extra zest.

Tasty Matches For Chicken Pesto Sandwich

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the herbaceous pesto and cut through the rich, creamy cheese.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Create a light side salad with peppery arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and shaved parmesan to balance the sandwich's robust flavors.
• Serve with Tangy Pickle Spears: Add zesty dill pickle spears on the side to provide a sharp, acidic contrast that refreshes the palate between sandwich bites.
• Combine with Chilled Gazpacho: Offer a cold Spanish tomato soup that echoes the fresh basil notes and provides a cooling accompaniment to the warm sandwich.

How To Store Chicken Pesto Sandwich The Right Way

• Store the assembled sandwich in an airtight container and consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and taste.
• Keep chicken, pesto, and bread components separately in individual sealed containers to maintain individual ingredient quality and prevent sogginess.
• Grill chicken and store in refrigerator up to 3 days before assembling sandwich, ensuring meat remains moist and flavorful when ready to construct.
• Wrap unassembled sandwich ingredients tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, store in freezer for up to 1 month, and thaw in refrigerator before final preparation.

Everything To Know About Chicken Pesto Sandwich

• How do I choose the best chicken for this sandwich?

Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are uniform in thickness and fresh. Look for pale pink meat without discoloration or strong odors to ensure quality and taste.

• Can I make pesto at home instead of using store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade pesto requires fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Blend ingredients in a food processor until smooth for a more vibrant, personalized flavor.

• What type of bread works best for this sandwich?

Opt for a sturdy bread like sourdough, ciabatta, or Italian bread that can hold the ingredients without becoming soggy. Ensure the bread has a good texture and can be toasted crisp.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken meets zesty pesto in this mouthwatering sandwich masterpiece that promises delightful Mediterranean flavors. Crisp ingredients and smooth textures combine for a quick lunch option you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 slices bread
• 4 oz chicken breast
• 2 tbsp pesto sauce

Cheese:

• 1 slice provolone cheese

Condiments and Garnishes:

• 1 tsp mayonnaise
• 2 leaves fresh basil
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch black pepper

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Instructions

1. Grill or pan-sear the chicken breast until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 6-8 minutes per side.
2. Allow the cooked chicken to rest for 3-4 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
3. Toast the bread slices until golden brown and crisp, creating a sturdy base for the sandwich.
4. Spread mayonnaise evenly on one side of each toasted bread slice, creating a smooth, creamy layer.
5. Generously spread pesto sauce across one slice of bread, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Layer the sliced chicken breast uniformly over the pesto-covered bread slice.
7. Place the provolone cheese on top of the chicken, allowing it to slightly melt from the residual heat.
8. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the cheese for enhanced flavor.
9. Delicately tear fresh basil leaves and scatter them across the sandwich.
10. Carefully place the second slice of bread on top, mayonnaise side down, to complete the sandwich.
11. Cut the sandwich diagonally and serve immediately while ingredients are still warm and cheese is soft.

Notes

• Keep chicken moist by avoiding overcooking, using a meat thermometer ensures perfect doneness without drying out the meat.
• Choose high-quality pesto with fresh basil and good olive oil for maximum flavor intensity and authentic taste.
• Experiment with different bread types like ciabatta, sourdough, or whole wheat for varied texture and nutritional profiles.
• For gluten-free option, swap regular bread with gluten-free alternatives or use lettuce wraps to create a low-carb version of the sandwich.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg