Certainly one of our final sandwiches is that this hen pesto sandwich! It stars grilled hen breast topped with herby basil pesto, recent 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, mushy recent mozzarella cheese, and juicy tomato slices. The very best half, after all, is our herbaceous basil pesto. You already know while you sink your tooth into an important sandwich and may’t assist however exclaim “yum“? That’s this sandwich.
Tip: Wish to serve a vegetarian model of this sandwich on the identical time? Change the grilled hen with grilled portobello mushrooms or grilled eggplant.
Elements 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 mixtures! However we prefer it finest as a variation on a Caprese sandwich: with recent mozzarella and tomato to optimize the colour, texture and taste contrasts. It’s finest if you may make this sandwich with do-it-yourself 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 doable, in cutlets or breasts (and you’ll butterfly them earlier than cooking).
- Spices & olive oil: A mix of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper is right for grilling for the hen.
- Ciabatta bread: Ciabatta is a kind of Italian bread that’s mushy and excellent for sandwiches! Keep away from a French baguette, which might be robust to chew by means of. Every 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 way too spicy.
- Tomato slices: Use solely the very best, juicy in season tomatoes.
- Basil pesto: Home made pesto is essential to the flavour. In our opinion, the very best bought possibility is refrigerated recent 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 (completely happy chickens!).
Ideas for cooking the hen
The very best hen pesto sandwich makes use of grilled hen, which infuses irresistible smoky notes into the flavour. However for those who don’t have a grill, you can too pan fry the hen! Listed here are a couple of notes:
- Butterfly the hen first. Butterflying hen is solely reducing 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 Hen for the very best taste. This includes a 30 minute marinade time and a pair of to 4 minutes per aspect 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.
Home made vs bought pesto
This hen pesto sandwich appears and tastes finest with do-it-yourself basil pesto. However after all, this isn’t all the time doable. Listed here are a couple of pesto ideas:
- Home made pesto has the very best taste and coloration. Make a batch of basil pesto for those who can. Different choices are arugula pesto or kale pesto, which have a barely spicier taste, and even solar dried tomato pesto.
- Or strive refrigerated recent pesto, discovered within the produce part. In our style assessments, we’ve discovered this kind of pesto tends has higher taste than pesto in jars. It’s typically 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 recent lemon juice may also help to enhance the flavour.
Storing leftovers and make forward ideas
This hen pesto sandwich is nice for anytime, from cookouts to picnics to straightforward dinners. Alex and I had been completely happy to seek out this sandwich one does maintain up properly over time, too! However listed here are a couple of ideas:
- The tomato and mozzarella could make the bread soggy. In the event you layer the arugula beneath 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 will not be wanted. Cooked hen can sit as much as 2 hours at room temperature.
- In any other case, wrap and refrigerate or maintain in a cooler till serving. The bread can change into robust when refrigerated, so permit the sandwich to return to room temperature earlier than serving.
Extra sandwich recipes
This hen pesto sandwich is certainly one of 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 a couple of extra sandwich recipes you would possibly take pleasure in:
Steadily requested questions
Completely! Whereas mozzarella enhances the flavors of the pesto and grilled hen properly, 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 strive a gluten-free bread if desired.
Get artistic along with your toppings! Listed here are some concepts:
Roasted purple 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, recent 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 fashion bread)
- 1 cup child arugula
- 2 tomato slices
- 2 tablespoons recent basil pesto
- 4 oz recent 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 may open up like a ebook (or butterfly!). Unfold the breast like a ebook, 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 along with your palms 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 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 aspect.
- 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, recent 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 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 aspect (skip the marinading time).
- Class: Primary dish
- Technique: Grilled
- Delicacies: Hen
