This dish will satisfy any savory cravings you have thanks to the toasted sourdough, salty pesto, grilled chicken, and sweet Roma tomatoes!
Roast Chicken Pesto Sandwich l Side of Salt with Salt Hank Ep. 9
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Pesto 🔗
This grilled chicken sandwich with pesto is a gourmet take on a favorite with smoked mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and arugula!
Prep: 25min
Total: 45min
Nutrition Facts: calories 688 calories per sandwich (with 2 tablespoons of pesto sauce)
Ingredients:
- 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner cutlets
- Olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
- 4 ounces smoked mozzarella (or plain), thinly sliced or grated
- Soft ciabatta loaf (14-16 ounce), cut into 4 equal pieces (can use focaccia, rustic rolls or sliced bread as well)
- 4 tablespoons (about 1/4 cup) julienned sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, if possible)
- 1 cup micro arugula or regular arugula leaves
- 4 ounces fresh basil leaves, stems removed
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup arugula leaves
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instruction:
- Marinate your chicken breasts by adding them to a large bowl, then drizzling over about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a couple of pinches of salt and black pepper, the Italian seasoning, lemon zest and juice, plus garlic, and toss to coat; marinate for 20 minutes, or even over night.
- Next, prepare your arugula-basil pesto: if blanching your basil leaves to lock in the vibrant color, bring a small/medium size pot of water to the boil, then turn off the heat; add the basil leaves and blanch them for just 5-10 seconds; drain and add the leaves to ice water to shock them, then drain and gently pat dry on paper towel.
- To the bowl of a food processor, add the pine nuts, grated parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon zest and juice, the salt and pepper, plus 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and process for about 20 seconds until fairly smooth; add the basil leaves and the arugula, and continue to process, drizzling in the 1/2 cup of olive oil until smooth, about 30-45 seconds.
- Spoon the pesto into a jar or small bowl, cover with plastic, and place into fridge to hold.
- To grill the chicken, place your grill pan (you can also use an outdoor grill as well) over medium-high heat, and grill a couple of the chicken breast cutlets for about 3 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden (grilling time is shorter since these are thinner cutlets); allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes.
- Preheat your broiler, and line a small baking sheet with foil; place the grilled chicken breasts onto the baking sheet, top each with 1 ounce of the grated smoked (or plain) mozzarella cheese, then place under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
- To assemble the grilled chicken sandwiches, generously spread some of your pesto sauce onto both the bottom and top pieces of the bread, then place a cheesy grilled chicken breast onto the bottom piece of bread.
- Top the chicken with about 1 tablespoon of the julienned sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of micro arugula greens or regular arugula greens; then, cover with the top piece of pesto-slathered bread, and serve.
FAQ
What kind of sandwich is pesto good on?
The best side dishes to serve with pesto chicken are rice pilaf, Italian salad, sauteed spinach, and aglio e olio pasta. For more veggie options, try serving roasted asparagus, mashed cauliflower, or zucchini noodles. You can also serve garlic crack bread, couscous salad, or smashed potatoes.
How do you reheat a chicken pesto sandwich?
Lunch dreams are made of this turkey pesto sandwich, which is essentially a fancy grilled cheese sandwich with turkey, mozzarella cheese, pesto, and arugula between two slices of sourdough bread.
How many calories are in a grilled chicken pesto sandwich?
Open the sandwich, divide the chicken evenly between the two halves for quicker heating, and place it on the baking sheet. Place the sandwich in a cold oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat until everything is warmed through.