Chicken Pesto Sandwich (Printable Version)

Grilled chicken, basil pesto, mozzarella and tomato on toasted ciabatta for a quick, flavorful lunch or light dinner.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Pesto

05 - 1/3 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)

→ Sandwich Components

06 - 4 ciabatta rolls or sturdy sandwich buns
07 - 8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
08 - 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
09 - 1 cup baby arugula or spinach leaves
10 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for toasting rolls)

# How To Make It:

01 - Warm grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
02 - Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thin cutlets. Drizzle with olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until fully cooked and golden brown. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate to rest for 2 minutes. Slice as desired.
04 - If desired, spread butter on the interior cut side of each roll. Toast on the grill pan or skillet, cut side down, until golden and crisp.
05 - Spread a generous layer of basil pesto on the bottom half of each roll.
06 - Arrange grilled chicken slices, mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, and baby arugula or spinach over the pesto. Cap with the remaining roll halves.
07 - Serve sandwiches warm or at room temperature.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • Each mouthful bursts with bright, herby flavors and melty cheese, making lunchtime feel unexpectedly special.
  • The ingredients are forgiving, so you can swap or layer them depending on your cravings—or what's left in the fridge.
02 -
  • If you rush the chicken, it ends up chewy—rest it for a couple minutes before slicing so juices stay put.
  • Pesto can turn a little bitter if overheated, so spread it after toasting to keep its bright flavor intact.
03 -
  • Always let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy, not dry.
  • A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the tomatoes right before assembly really wakes things up.

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