One among 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. if you sink your enamel into a fantastic sandwich and might’t assist however exclaim “yum“? That’s this sandwich.
Tip: Wish to serve a vegetarian model of this sandwich on the similar time? Exchange the grilled hen with grilled portobello mushrooms or grilled eggplant.
Substances for a hen pesto sandwich
A hen pesto sandwich might be made in some ways: merely mix basil pesto with hen on bread in any variety of combos! However we prefer it greatest as a variation on a Caprese sandwich: with contemporary mozzarella and tomato to optimize the colour, texture and taste contrasts. It’s greatest if you can also make this sandwich with home made basil pesto, however bought works in a pinch. Listed here are the elements you’ll want:
- Boneless skinless hen breasts: Search for natural hen if attainable, 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 kind of Italian bread that’s gentle and excellent for sandwiches! Keep away from a French baguette, which might be robust to chunk by. Some other kind of artisan bread works: focaccia is particularly good.
- Child arugula: Arugula provides a crunch and peppery taste. Search for child arugula (bought in a field or bag): customary arugula bought in bunches is far too spicy.
- Tomato slices: Use solely one of the best, juicy in season tomatoes.
- Basil pesto: Selfmade pesto is essential to the flavour. In our opinion, one of the best bought possibility is refrigerated contemporary pesto, discovered within the produce part.
💡Why purchase natural hen? We suggest shopping for natural because it’s the high-quality meat that’s raised sustainably with out chemical compounds. Natural requirements require that the chickens have entry to the outside and can’t be given antibiotics or development hormones (comfortable chickens!).
Ideas for cooking the hen
The perfect hen pesto sandwich makes use of grilled hen, which infuses irresistible smoky notes into the flavour. However when you don’t have a grill, you can even pan fry the hen! Listed here are just a few notes:
- Butterfly the hen first. Butterflying hen is solely chopping it in half horizontally, which helps it to cook dinner extra evenly and leads to a extra juicy, well-seasoned breast.
- For greatest outcomes, grill the hen. Make our Grilled Hen for one of the best taste. This includes 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 Hen Pasta Salad.
Selfmade vs bought pesto
This hen pesto sandwich seems to be and tastes greatest with home made basil pesto. However after all, this isn’t at all times attainable. Listed here are just a few pesto suggestions:
- Selfmade pesto has one of the best taste and shade. Make a batch of basil pesto when you can. Different choices are arugula pesto or kale pesto, which have a barely spicier taste, and even solar dried tomato pesto.
- Or attempt refrigerated contemporary pesto, discovered within the produce part. In our style exams, 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; think about 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 will help to enhance the flavour.
Storing leftovers and make forward suggestions
This hen pesto sandwich is nice for anytime, from cookouts to picnics to simple dinners. Alex and I had been comfortable to seek out this sandwich one does maintain up effectively over time, too! However listed below are just a few suggestions:
- The tomato and mozzarella could make the bread soggy. When you layer the arugula below the mozzarella, it helps so this ingredient doesn’t are available in contact with the bread. When 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 preserve in a cooler till serving. The bread can turn out to be robust when refrigerated, so permit the sandwich to come back to room temperature earlier than serving.
Extra sandwich recipes
This hen pesto sandwich is one among our favourite summer time dinner recipes! It really works for both lunch or dinner, making it tremendous versatile for meals all through the week. Listed here are just a few extra sandwich recipes you would possibly take pleasure in:
Continuously 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 too can attempt a gluten-free bread if desired.
Get artistic together with your toppings! Listed here are some concepts:
Roasted crimson peppers
Caramelized onions
Arugula or spinach
Sliced avocado
Balsamic glaze
Description
One among 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 attainable), 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 type 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 rigorously slice the breast horizontally, leaving the sting intact so it may well 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 cook dinner till now not pink within the middle 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 optimum juiciness.
- Grill the ciabatta till flippantly 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). Prime with the remaining bread slice and luxuriate in.
Notes
*You too can 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: Important dish
- Technique: Grilled
- Delicacies: Hen