Description
A decadent MEGA Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich featuring thick slices of bread layered with shredded cooked chicken, vibrant basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes, all grilled to golden perfection with butter for a melty, savory delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 4 large thick slices of bread (preferably sourdough or rustic Italian bread)
Filling
- 1.5 cups / 150g / 5oz shredded cooked chicken
- 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup (80-120g) basil pesto
- 5oz / 150g fresh mozzarella ball, thinly sliced and patted dry
- 8 sun-dried tomatoes, patted dry to remove excess oil
Other
- Butter, as needed for grilling
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Pat the fresh mozzarella slices dry with a paper towel to remove moisture, and also dry the sun-dried tomatoes to reduce excess oil, ensuring your sandwich won’t get soggy.
- Mix Chicken and Pesto: In a bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with the desired amount of basil pesto, stirring to coat the chicken evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Lay out the thick bread slices. Spread the pesto-coated chicken evenly over two slices. Layer with thin slices of fresh mozzarella followed by the sun-dried tomatoes. Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
- Butter the Bread: Generously butter the outside of each sandwich on both sides to ensure a golden, crispy crust when grilled.
- Grill the Sandwich: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches on the skillet and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, pressing slightly and flipping carefully, until the bread is golden brown and the mozzarella is melted.
- Serve Hot: Once grilled to perfection, remove the sandwiches from the skillet, let them rest for a minute, then slice and serve immediately for the best gooey, flavorful experience.
Notes
- Use thick-cut, sturdy bread like sourdough or Italian bread to hold all the fillings without becoming soggy.
- Patting dry the mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes is crucial to prevent excess moisture in the sandwich.
- You can adjust the amount of pesto to taste, adding more for a stronger basil flavor.
- Leftover cooked chicken works perfectly for this recipe, making it quick and easy.
- For even melting, cover the skillet with a lid during grilling for a minute if needed.
Keywords: Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese, Pesto Sandwich, Grilled Cheese with Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomato Sandwich, Mozzarella Grilled Cheese