Chicken Pesto Sandwich
The ultimate summer sandwich! It brings together a fair blend of superior Italian flavors including a bakery fresh ciabatta bun, balsamic marinated chicken breast, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, plus an intensely herby pesto. You'll want this one on repeat!
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 (10 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved through the thickness and pounded even (creating 4 pieces total)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for grill
- 2 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar (or dark)
- 3/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sandwiches
- 4 ciabatta or foccacia rolls, split
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 6 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced 1/4-thick
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup prepared pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup (slightly packed) baby arugula
- 2 medium roma tomatoes, sliced
Instructions
- To a gallon size resealable bag add olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Shake to evenly distribute ingredients then place chicken in bag with marinade.
- Seal bag while pressing air out then rub marinade over chicken. Transfer to fridge and let rest at least 30 minutes but no longer than 4 hours.
- To prepare sandwiches and grill chicken, preheat a gas grill over medium-high heat (400 to 425 °F).
- Brush grill grates lightly with oil then grill chicken (with lid closed) until charred on bottom, about 4 to 6 minutes. Turn chicken then top with mozzarella slices and continue to cook chicken through, about 4 minutes longer (it should register 165 °F internally). Transfer to a plate and cover with foil, rest 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile spray rolls on split side with olive oil cooking spray then place rolls on grill cut side down. Grill until lightly toasted about 1 minute (you can also grill on opposite side if preferred).
- To assemble sandwiches spread pesto on split side of lower halves of the rolls. Layer the arugula over the bottom halves, top each with a chicken breast with the cheese side up, layer on tomatoes.
- Spread remaining pesto over cut side of top halves of the rolls then turn and press over sandwich. Serve right away.