Chicken Pesto Sandwich (Printable)
Grilled chicken cutlets with pesto and mozzarella on warm toasted ciabatta rolls.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Marinade & Seasonings
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pesto
05 - 1/3 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
→ Sandwich Assembly
06 - 4 ciabatta rolls or sandwich buns
07 - 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
08 - 1 tomato, sliced
09 - 1/2 cup baby spinach or arugula
10 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
11 - 1 tablespoon butter, for toasting buns (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 4 thinner cutlets for even cooking.
02 - Toss chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until evenly coated.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
04 - Place a slice of mozzarella on each chicken piece during the last minute of cooking and cover briefly to melt.
05 - Butter the cut sides of the rolls and toast in a pan cut-side down until golden, if desired.
06 - Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each roll, then layer 1 tablespoon of pesto over the mayo or directly onto the bread.
07 - Layer spinach or arugula, a slice of tomato, and the warm chicken with melted mozzarella on the bottom half. Top with the remaining roll half and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It hits that perfect sweet spot between feeling like a real meal and coming together faster than you can set the table
- The pesto and mayo combo creates a sauce that makes every single bite taste deliberate
02 -
- Overcooking the cutlets is the fastest way to ruin this sandwich so pull them the second they feel firm and spring back when pressed
- Skipping the bun toast sounds harmless but it is the difference between a great sandwich and a sad damp one
03 -
- Pound the cutlets to an even thickness with a mallet or heavy pan so no piece cooks faster than another
- Spread pesto edge to edge because a single bare bite of just bread and chicken feels like a missed opportunity