Certainly one of our final sandwiches is that this hen pesto sandwich! It stars grilled hen breast topped with herby basil pesto, contemporary mozzarella, and ripe tomatoes, all nestled between two slices of crusty bread.
There’s nothing we love greater than an over-the-top sandwich: and even higher, one which’s fairly easy to place collectively. So right here’s a brand new favourite for me and Alex: this hen pesto sandwich!
Why we love this recipe: This sammie masterpiece combines our favourite juicy grilled hen with grilled ciabatta bread, child arugula, gentle contemporary mozzarella cheese, and juicy tomato slices. The perfect half, after all, is our herbaceous basil pesto. You recognize once you sink your tooth into a fantastic sandwich and might’t assist however exclaim “yum“? That’s this sandwich.
Tip: Need to serve a vegetarian model of this sandwich on the identical time? Change the grilled hen with grilled portobello mushrooms or grilled eggplant.
Components for a hen pesto sandwich
A hen pesto sandwich could be made in some ways: merely mix basil pesto with hen on bread in any variety of mixtures! However we prefer it finest as a variation on a Caprese sandwich: with contemporary mozzarella and tomato to optimize the colour, texture and taste contrasts. It’s finest if you can also make this sandwich with selfmade basil pesto, however bought works in a pinch. Listed here are the components you’ll want:
- Boneless skinless hen breasts: Search for natural hen if doable, in cutlets or breasts (and you may butterfly them earlier than cooking).
- Spices & olive oil: A mix of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper is good for grilling for the hen.
- Ciabatta bread: Ciabatta is a sort of Italian bread that’s gentle and excellent for sandwiches! Keep away from a French baguette, which could be powerful to chew by means of. Some other kind of artisan bread works: focaccia is very good.
- Child arugula: Arugula provides a crunch and peppery taste. Search for child arugula (bought in a field or bag): commonplace arugula bought in bunches is far too spicy.
- Tomato slices: Use solely the very best, juicy in season tomatoes.
- Basil pesto: Selfmade pesto is essential to the flavour. In our opinion, the very best bought choice is refrigerated contemporary pesto, discovered within the produce part.
💡Why purchase natural hen? We advocate shopping for natural because it’s the high-quality meat that’s raised sustainably with out chemical substances. Natural requirements require that the chickens have entry to the outside and can’t be given antibiotics or progress hormones (completely satisfied chickens!).
Suggestions for cooking the hen
The perfect hen pesto sandwich makes use of grilled hen, which infuses irresistible smoky notes into the flavour. However should you don’t have a grill, you may as well pan fry the hen! Listed here are a number of notes:
- Butterfly the hen first. Butterflying hen is solely chopping it in half horizontally, which helps it to prepare dinner extra evenly and leads to a extra juicy, well-seasoned breast.
- For finest outcomes, grill the hen. Make our Grilled Rooster for the very best taste. This entails a 30 minute marinade time and a pair of to 4 minutes per facet on a grill preheated to excessive warmth.
- Or, pan sear the hen! You are able to do the identical recipe in a skillet! Go to the directions for cooking hen in our Rooster Pasta Salad.
Selfmade vs bought pesto
This hen pesto sandwich seems to be and tastes finest with selfmade basil pesto. However after all, this isn’t at all times doable. Listed here are a number of pesto ideas:
- Selfmade pesto has the very best taste and coloration. Make a batch of basil pesto should you can. Different choices are arugula pesto or kale pesto, which have a barely spicier taste, and even solar dried tomato pesto.
- Or strive refrigerated contemporary pesto, discovered within the produce part. In our style assessments, we’ve discovered any such pesto tends has higher taste than pesto in jars. It’s usually bought in tubes.
- Jarred pesto manufacturers can style bitter; contemplate including lemon. Every model has a distinct salt and acid degree, and a few style very bitter and acidic. Including a spritz of contemporary lemon juice can assist to enhance the flavour.
Storing leftovers and make forward ideas
This hen pesto sandwich is nice for anytime, from cookouts to picnics to simple dinners. Alex and I had been completely satisfied to search out this sandwich one does maintain up effectively over time, too! However listed here are a number of ideas:
- The tomato and mozzarella could make the bread soggy. In the event you layer the arugula underneath the mozzarella, it helps so this ingredient doesn’t are available contact with the bread. In the event you can, add the sliced tomato simply earlier than serving, or place the tomato between the hen and cheese.
- If serving inside 2 hours, refrigeration is just not wanted. Cooked hen can sit as much as 2 hours at room temperature.
- In any other case, wrap and refrigerate or hold in a cooler till serving. The bread can grow to be powerful when refrigerated, so enable the sandwich to come back to room temperature earlier than serving.
Extra sandwich recipes
This hen pesto sandwich is certainly one of our favourite summer season dinner recipes! It really works for both lunch or dinner, making it tremendous versatile for meals all through the week. Listed here are a number of extra sandwich recipes you would possibly take pleasure in:
Ceaselessly requested questions
Completely! Whereas mozzarella enhances the flavors of the pesto and grilled hen effectively, you possibly can substitute it with provolone, fontina, and even burrata for a creamier texture.
Select a bread that may maintain as much as the juicy hen and pesto. Ciabatta, focaccia, or a crusty sourdough bread are all good choices. You can too strive a gluten-free bread if desired.
Get inventive together with your toppings! Listed here are some concepts:
Roasted pink peppers
Caramelized onions
Arugula or spinach
Sliced avocado
Balsamic glaze
Description
Certainly one of our final sandwiches is that this hen pesto sandwich! It stars grilled hen breast topped with herby basil pesto, contemporary mozzarella, and ripe tomatoes, all nestled between two slices of crusty bread.
- 2 boneless skinless hen breasts (about 1 pound, natural if doable), butterflied or cutlets
- ½ tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly floor black pepper
- 4 slices ciabatta bread (or focaccia bread, or one other artisan model bread)
- 1 cup child arugula
- 2 tomato slices
- 2 tablespoons contemporary basil pesto
- 4 oz contemporary mozzarella, thinly sliced
- Pat the hen dry with a paper towel. If not already butterflied, place your hand excessive of every hen breast. Use a pointy knife to fastidiously slice the breast horizontally, leaving the sting intact so it will possibly open up like a e-book (or butterfly!). Unfold the breast like a e-book, then reduce alongside the fold to separate the 2 halves.
- Add the hen to a container and add the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and some grinds of black pepper. Combine together with your fingers till evenly coated. Cowl and marinate within the fridge for half-hour (or as much as 24 hours).
- Preheat a grill to excessive warmth (450 to 550°F)*. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil on the ciabatta bread.
- Grill the hen breasts till grill marks seem and it releases from the grates, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and prepare dinner till now not pink within the heart and the interior temperature is 165°F, 2 to 4 minutes. Take away to a platter and canopy with foil. Permit to relaxation for five minutes for max juiciness.
- Grill the ciabatta till evenly browned, 1 to 2 minutes per facet.
- Place the arugula in a bowl and blend with a small drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. To make the sandwich, on one slice of bread layer arugula, contemporary mozzarella cheese, grilled hen, pesto, and sliced tomato (seasoned with 2 pinches of salt). High with the remaining bread slice and revel in.
Notes
*You can too pan fry the hen by cooking it in a skillet with olive oil over medium excessive warmth for two to 4 minutes per facet (skip the marinading time).
- Class: Major dish
- Methodology: Grilled
- Delicacies: Rooster
