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
Scale
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