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Grilled chicken pesto sandwich with fresh basil and artisan bread

Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich

A comforting sandwich featuring grilled chicken, creamy mozzarella, and vibrant pesto, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 580 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste

Other Ingredients

  • ½ cup basil pesto
  • 8 slices crusty bread (e.g., Ciabatta, Sourdough, or a sturdy artisan loaf)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • ½ cup jarred roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach or arugula
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano (optional)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat.
  • Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season both sides with salt and black pepper.

Cooking

  • Place the seasoned chicken breasts onto the hot grill and cook for 6-7 minutes on the first side.
  • Flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes on a cutting board.
  • Slice the grilled chicken into thin pieces.

Assembly

  • Spread a generous amount of basil pesto on one side of each slice of crusty bread.
  • On half of the pesto-spread slices, layer mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken pieces, roasted red peppers, and fresh spinach or arugula.
  • Top with the remaining pesto-spread bread slices and gently press down.
  • Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the sandwiches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  • Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, allow to cool slightly, and slice in half.

Notes

Let the chicken rest after grilling for added juiciness. Use a good-quality pesto for richer flavor. Keep the sandwich pressed while cooking for even toasting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 34gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 980mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
Keyword Chicken Sandwich, comfort food, easy dinner, Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich, Pesto Sandwich
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