Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

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Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (1)

Cheryl MalikPosted: 03/18/21Updated: 04/27/23

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This toasted chicken pesto sandwich brings the bistro right to your kitchen! Warm, toasty bread, juicy chicken and tomatoes, and creamy, melty mozzarella accented by Italian seasoning and buttery pesto.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (2)

🥪 What Makes This Sandwich So Good

  • It’s an incredible hot sandwich option! Move over deli meat. This chicken pesto sandwich is full of amazing Italian flavors, and then it’s lightly toasted in a skillet to make the mozzarella nice and melty.
  • It’s super filling but super light. Even with the oil in the pesto, you won’t feel weighed down after enjoying every bite.
  • The BREAD!! Oh, I love a good ciabatta. It might just be the perfect sandwich bread. It’s a traditional white Italian bread that’s a little dense and a little chewy, but has this amazing crust.

👩🏼‍🍳 Chef’s Tips

  • If you’ve got a panini press, fire it up! Instead of toasting your assembled sandwich in the frying pan toward the end, press it in the panini press. It’ll give you a beautiful even toast and press everything together into a melty, creamy, hot sandwich.
  • Feel free to make this sandwich your own! You might enjoy adding a little arugula or spinach, using sun-dried tomatoes instead of Roma, or using Swiss or provolone instead of mozzarella.
Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (3)

🥘 More Easy and Delicious Recipes

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For more delicious, nutritious recipes, head over to our sister site, 40 Aprons.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (4)

5 from 19 votes

Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Prep:10 minutes minutes

Cook:20 minutes minutes

Total:30 minutes minutes

Warm, toasty bread, juicy chicken and tomatoes, and creamy, melty mozzarella accented by Italian seasoning and buttery pesto.

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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
  • cup pesto divided
  • 6 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
  • 4 Roma tomatoes sliced
  • avocado oil

Equipment

  • Cutting board

  • Sharp knife

  • Large skillet

  • Internal meat thermometer

  • large plate

  • Basting brush

Instructions

  • Place 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts on cutting board. Use sharp knife to slice chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 evenly-sized chicken cutlets. If needed, pound thicker areas with tenderizer or rolling pin until cutlets are evenly thick all over.

  • Generously sprinkle 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper on all sides of chicken cutlets, coating chicken well. Set aside.

  • Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. When pan is warm, add 1 tablespoon avocado oil and swirl pan to distribute oil across entire surface. Continue heating pan until oil is hot and shimmery.

  • When oil is hot, place seasoned chicken cutlets in skillet. Sear chicken 3 to 5 minutes, then flip each cutlet over. Sear chicken 3 to 5 minutes more, until internal temperature of chicken reaches 160° Fahrenheit.

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (5)

  • Once chicken reaches target temperature, carefully transfer cutlets to large plate and set aside.

  • Place halved ciabatta rolls in skillet with inside of rolls facing down. Work in batches as needed depending on size of skillet. Toast ciabatta rolls 1 to 2 minutes, just until rolls are lightly golden. Remove toasted rolls from skillet and repeat with any remaining rolls.

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (6)

  • Set toasted rolls aside. Keep skillet warm over medium heat.

To Assemble the Sandwiches

  • Place ciabatta rolls on cutting board, with insides of rolls facing up.

  • Cover one ciabatta roll half per sandwich with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, using 4 tablespoons mayonnaise total. Spread mayonnaise out to cover entire surface of rolls.

  • Cover other ciabatta roll half per sandwich with 1 ¼ tablespoons pesto, using ⅓ cup pesto total. Spread pesto out to cover entire surface of rolls.

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (7)

  • Place one cutlet on top of each ciabatta half coated in mayonnaise.

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (8)

  • Place 1 ½ ounces of sliced mozzarella on top of each chicken cutlet, using 6 ounces fresh mozzarella total.

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (9)

  • Place tomato slices on top of mozzarella, using 1 Roma tomato per sandwich (4 Roma tomatoes total).

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (10)

  • Top sandwich with ciabatta halves covered in pesto, so that pesto is on inside of sandwich.

  • Lightly brush avocado oil on top of sandwiches. Place sandwiches in skillet with avocado oil facing down.

  • Cook each sandwich 2 minutes, then flip sandwiches over and cook 2 minutes more, until mozzarella is melted and sandwiches are warmed through. Remove sandwiches from skillet and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Leftovers: Refrigerate any leftover sandwiches for one day.
  • Reheating: For best results, wrap sandwiches in foil and heat in oven until food is heated through.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 541kcal | Protein: 28g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Total Carbs: 32g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Net Carbs: 30g | Vitamin C: 9mg | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 892mg | Potassium: 407mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 1mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed,notincluding any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (11)

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  1. Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (12)Hal says

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (13)
    Easy, delicious, and filling. In my regular rotation, summer and winter.

    Reply

    • Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (14)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So glad you enjoyed it, Hal! It’s a perfect recipe to keep in rotation!

      Reply

  2. Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (15)Julie P. says

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (16)
    This was excellent! I subbed out tomato for roasted red pepper and added in some fresh basil leaves. So fresh.so delicious. Will definitely make again!

    Reply

    • Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (17)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      Yumm, that sounds delish! Thanks for sharing, Julie.

      Reply

  3. Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (18)Roxanne says

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (19)
    An absolute banger!! I found a new favourite lunch to pack for work!! I instead chose to slice and grill the ciabattas in the oven until they were lightly toasted, then buttered one side and spread mayonnaise on the other side. I then used rotisserie chicken and mixed it with pesto and Italian seasoning, then topped it with the sliced mozzarella. Was so good! Thank you for this

    Reply

    • Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (20)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      Yumm- I love toasted ciabatta bread for sandwiches! So glad you loved the sandwich, Roxanne!

      Reply

  4. Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (21)Ella says

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (22)
    amazing

    Reply

    • Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (23)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So glad you enjoyed it, Ella.

      Reply

  5. Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (24)Deanna says

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (25)
    Excellent recipe! The only thing I did different was at the end. I did not grill it in the pan on both sides. Instead, I used my panini press. Turned out great.

    Reply

    • Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (26)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      I love using the panini press! So glad you enjoyed it, Deanna.

      Reply

  6. Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (27)Kim says

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (28)
    My kids want this all the time. We love this recipe.

    Reply

    • Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (29)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So glad it’s a favorite in your family! Thanks for sharing, Kim!

      Reply

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Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many calories in a chicken pesto mozzarella sandwich? ›

Taylor Farms
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 sandwich (262g)
How many calories are in Pesto Chicken & Mozzarella on Ciabatta? Amount of calories in Pesto Chicken & Mozzarella on Ciabatta: Calories 530Calories from Fat 207 (39.1%)
% Daily Value *
17 more rows

Can I put cheese in a chicken sandwich? ›

A garlic chicken and cheese sandwich is one of the most delicious and easy sandwiches to make. All you need is some cooked chicken, cheese, garlic butter, and a few simple ingredients to make a fantastic sandwich. I love it for a quick lunch with a crisp salad.

How many calories in a grilled pesto sandwich? ›

Nutrition Facts

1 sandwich: 435 calories, 29g fat (14g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 739mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein.

How many calories are in a tomato pesto sandwich? ›

Sandwiches Mozzarella Tomato & Pesto Ciabatta (1 serving) contains 47g total carbs, 44.7g net carbs, 31g fat, 21g protein, and 536 calories.

Is pesto full of calories? ›

This means that a tablespoon (15g) of pesto contains around 56 calories, while our recommended serving size of 50g per person contains around 186 calories. Two of the most expensive ingredients in all pesto recipes are nuts and cheese, both of which are very high in calories.

Is pesto high in calories? ›

Because its ingredients include olive oil, nuts, and cheese, pesto can be high in calories and fat. However, the fat is primarily unsaturated and may have heart health benefits. Pesto is also full of antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.

What's the best cheese for a chicken sandwich? ›

Some of the best cheeses for chicken sandwiches include mozzarella, gouda, provolone and asiago. You can throw a fresh slice onto your sandwich or melt it for extra goodness. Lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles are standard for chicken sandwiches, but you can definitely shake this up.

What condiments go best on a chicken sandwich? ›

  1. 5 of the Best Condiments to Pair with Your Chicken Sandwich. Condiments have a deeper meaning than most people realize. ...
  2. Chipotle Mayonnaise. Chipotle mayonnaise offers the best of both worlds because it gives a bit of spice without being overbearing. ...
  3. Pesto. ...
  4. Guacamole. ...
  5. Teriyaki Sauce. ...
  6. Honey Mustard.

Why are chicken sandwiches healthy? ›

Protein is necessary for building and repairing tissues, as well as keeping our immune system functioning properly. Eating a chicken sandwich is an easy and delicious way to get a healthy dose of protein. Low-Fat Option Chicken is a lean meat and contains less fat than beef or pork.

What makes pesto so high in calories? ›

That's largely down to the fact that most pesto sauces contain generous amounts of oil, nuts, and cheese. All three of these are high in fat and calories, so eating too much pesto, too regularly, and not getting enough exercise can ultimately be fattening.

Does pesto have more calories than tomato sauce? ›

For the pasta sauce, we're allowing just over 100g per person. So, as you can see, even though both sauces contain olive oil, garlic, and basil, the pesto contains over six times more calories than the traditional pasta sauce.

How many calories are in a Starbucks chicken pesto sandwich? ›

Starbucks Chicken & Pesto Panini (1 serving) contains 56g total carbs, 38g net carbs, 29g fat, 29g protein, and 562 calories.

Is pesto healthier than tomato sauce? ›

If your main goal is to cut calories and fat, go for the marinara. If, however, you'd like to add some extra nutrients via greens such as basil or kale, and nuts, such as pine nuts or walnuts, opt for the pesto every once in a while. It's a tasty alternative to marinara, and a little goes a long way.

Is Starbucks tomato mozzarella healthy? ›

Tomato and Mozzarella Panini (370 calories)

This sandwich has a good amount of calories for a lunch, and it comes complete with protein, healthy fat, and calcium.

How many calories are in pesto pasta mozzarella? ›

Nutritional Information
Typical valuesPer 100gPer portion (230g)
Energy kcal163kcal375kcal
Fat5g12g
of which Saturates1.1g2.6g
Carbohydrate22g51g
11 more rows

How many calories are in a Chicken pesto sandwich? ›

576 Calories
Fat25.2 g
Carbs48.4 g
Fiber3 g
Protein38.3 g

How many calories are in a Chicken pesto and mozzarella panini? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
474Calories
21gFat
31gCarbs
41gProtein

How many calories in a pesto caprese sandwich? ›

If you have around 10 minutes to spend in the kitchen, Pesto Fresh Caprese Sandwich might be an amazing lacto ovo vegetarian recipe to try. This recipe makes 1 servings with 563 calories, 32g of protein, and 32g of fat each.

How many calories in a pesto mozzarella tomato sandwich? ›

471 Calories
Fat23 g
Carbs47 g
Fibre2.5 g
Protein20 g

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