Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Chicken Pesto Sandwich 🥪

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 550 per sandwich (approx.)

Introduction

Looking for a quick and satisfying lunch idea? This Chicken Pesto Sandwich is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, featuring juicy chicken cutlets, fresh mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, and a generous spread of pesto, all nestled between toasted ciabatta rolls. Whether you’re making lunch for the family or a quick bite for yourself, this sandwich is sure to impress. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil

For the Sandwiches:

• 4 ciabatta rolls, sliced in half horizontally
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise, divided (optional)
• ⅓ cup pesto, divided
• 6 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 4 Roma tomatoes, sliced
• Avocado oil

Instructions

Preparing the Chicken

1. Slice and Tenderize:
   Place 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 evenly-sized chicken cutlets. If needed, pound thicker areas with a tenderizer or rolling pin until the cutlets are evenly thick all over. 🔪
2. Season the Chicken:
   Generously sprinkle 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper on all sides of the chicken cutlets, coating the chicken well. Set aside. 🧂
3. Heat the Skillet:
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is warm, add 1 tablespoon avocado oil and swirl the pan to distribute the oil across the entire surface. Continue heating the pan until the oil is hot and shimmery. 🔥
4. Cook the Chicken:
   Place the seasoned chicken cutlets in the skillet. Sear the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes, then flip each cutlet over. Sear for another 3 to 5 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160°F (71°C). 🌡️
5. Rest the Chicken:
   Once the chicken reaches the target temperature, carefully transfer the cutlets to a large plate and set them aside. 🍽️

Toasting the Rolls

6. Toast the Ciabatta Rolls:
   Place the halved ciabatta rolls in the skillet with the inside of the rolls facing down. Work in batches as needed depending on the size of your skillet. Toast the rolls for 1 to 2 minutes, just until they are lightly golden. Remove the toasted rolls from the skillet and repeat with any remaining rolls. 🥖
7. Keep the Skillet Warm:
   Set the toasted rolls aside and keep the skillet warm over medium heat. 🔥

Assembling the Sandwiches

8. Prepare the Rolls:
   Place the ciabatta rolls on a cutting board with the insides facing up. 🪵
9. Spread Mayonnaise:
   Cover one ciabatta roll half per sandwich with 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise, using 4 tablespoons in total. Spread the mayonnaise evenly to cover the entire surface. 🥄
10. Spread Pesto:
    Cover the other ciabatta roll half per sandwich with 1 ¼ tablespoons of pesto, using ⅓ cup in total. Spread the pesto evenly to cover the entire surface. 🍃
11. Add Chicken:
    Place one cutlet on top of each ciabatta half that is coated in mayonnaise. 🍗
12. Add Mozzarella:
    Place 1 ½ ounces of sliced mozzarella on top of each chicken cutlet, using 6 ounces in total. 🧀
13. Add Tomato Slices:
    Place tomato slices on top of the mozzarella, using 1 Roma tomato per sandwich (4 Roma tomatoes in total). 🍅
14. Top the Sandwiches:
    Top the sandwiches with the ciabatta halves covered in pesto, making sure the pesto is on the inside of the sandwich. 🥪
15. Grill the Sandwiches:
    Lightly brush avocado oil on top of the sandwiches. Place the sandwiches in the skillet with the avocado oil facing down. 🖌️
16. Cook the Sandwiches:
    Cook each sandwich for 2 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 2 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and the sandwiches are warmed through. Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and serve immediately. 🍽️

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Pesto Sandwich is a simple yet flavorful meal that’s perfect for any time of day. The combination of juicy chicken, fresh mozzarella, and zesty pesto makes it a crowd-pleaser. Serve it with a side salad or some crispy fries for a complete meal. Enjoy! 😋

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