The Perfect Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella Recipe
Chicken pesto sandwiches combine Mediterranean flavors with hearty protein for a delightful midday meal.
This classic combination brings together soft, tangy ingredients that dance across your palate with remarkable harmony.
Creamy mozzarella melts perfectly against warm, seasoned chicken, creating a luxurious texture that elevates a simple sandwich.
Fresh herbs and rich pesto sauce infuse each bite with vibrant, aromatic notes that tantalize your taste buds.
Quality ingredients enhance an ordinary lunch into a gourmet experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
The delicate balance of ingredients offers a perfect blend of nutrition and indulgence for hungry individuals seeking something special.
Each carefully crafted layer promises a culinary journey that satisfies both hunger and imagination.
Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Gooey Mozzarella
What You Need for This Toasted Pesto Sandwich
Protein Main Ingredient:Bread and Base:Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:Vegetable Accent:Cooking Oil:Directions for Assembling and Grilling the Sandwich
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Select fresh chicken breasts
Place on a clean cutting board
Slice horizontally to create even cutlets
Gently pound thicker sections for uniform thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Gather seasonings:Sprinkle seasonings generously over all sides of chicken cutlets
Let chicken rest to absorb flavors
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat large skillet over medium-high heat
Add avocado oil
Cook chicken cutlets 3-5 minutes per side
Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F
Transfer cooked chicken to a plate
Step 4: Toast the Bread
Use same skillet
Place ciabatta rolls cut-side down
Toast until golden and crispy
Remove and set aside
Step 5: Build the Sandwich
Ingredients for layering:
Mayonnaise
Pesto
Cooked chicken cutlets
Sliced mozzarella
Roma tomato slices
Toasted ciabatta rolls
Spread mayonnaise on one roll half
Spread pesto on opposite half
Layer chicken
Add mozzarella
Top with tomato slices
Close sandwich
Step 6: Grill and Melt
Brush sandwich exterior with avocado oil
Place in skillet
Cook 2 minutes per side
Ensure cheese melts perfectly
Achieve golden-brown exterior
Step 7: Serve and Savor
Remove from skillet
Plate immediately
Enjoy while warm and gooey
Tips for Crispy Bread and Melty Cheese
Storing and Reheating Chicken Pesto Sandwich Leftovers
What Goes Well with Chicken Pesto Sandwiches
Extra Add-Ins for Your Next Chicken Pesto Sandwich
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Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Tuscan-inspired chicken pesto sandwich delivers Mediterranean flavors on crusty artisan bread. Melted mozzarella and herbal pesto create a luxurious lunch experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Main Protein:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound / 453 grams)
Seasoning and Oil:
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- Additional avocado oil, for brushing
Sandwich Components:
- 4 ciabatta rolls, sliced in half horizontally
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup pesto
- 6 ounces (170 grams) fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 4 Roma tomatoes, sliced
Instructions
- Transform chicken breasts into uniform cutlets by slicing horizontally and gently flattening any uneven sections with a meat mallet, ensuring consistent thickness for balanced cooking.
- Infuse chicken cutlets with robust Italian seasoning, sea salt, and cracked black pepper, allowing the spices to permeate the meat for enhanced flavor profile.
- Ignite a skillet over medium-high temperature, introducing avocado oil to create a sizzling cooking surface. Carefully position seasoned chicken cutlets and sear until golden brown and fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Utilize the same skillet to transform ciabatta rolls, toasting cut-sides until they develop a delicate golden crispness that provides textural contrast.
- Craft flavor layers by optionally spreading creamy mayonnaise on one roll half, complemented by a generous pesto coating on the opposing surface.
- Layer each sandwich meticulously: position seared chicken cutlet, crown with silky mozzarella slices, and adorn with vibrant Roma tomato medallions.
- Lightly brush sandwich exteriors with avocado oil, then strategically grill in the skillet, rotating once to achieve a perfectly melted cheese interior and crisp exterior.
- Serve sandwiches immediately, capturing the moment when molten mozzarella meets herb-infused pesto and succulent chicken, creating a harmonious culinary experience.
Notes
- Slice chicken breasts horizontally for even, tender cutlets that cook quickly and uniformly.
- Generously season chicken with Italian herbs and spices to enhance natural flavors and create a delicious base for the sandwich.
- Sear chicken in hot skillet with avocado oil to create a golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy, perfectly cooked meat.
- Toast ciabatta rolls in the same skillet to absorb leftover chicken flavors and create a crispy, crunchy texture.
- Layer ingredients strategically: mayonnaise for creaminess, pesto for herbaceous punch, mozzarella for melty richness, and tomatoes for fresh brightness.
- Grill sandwiches briefly to melt cheese, marry flavors, and achieve a crispy exterior that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
David Bennett
Founder & Head Recipe Developer
Expertise
Culinary Nutrition, Recipe Development, Nutritional Counseling, Food Science
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)
David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind.
With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily.
At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.