Description

The Chicken Pesto Panini is a delicious and flavorful sandwich featuring juicy chicken, creamy mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil, all drizzled with pesto and pressed between crispy sourdough bread. It’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 (4-ounce) chicken cutlets, pounded to ¼-inch thick

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup pesto

8 slices sourdough bread

2 ripe tomatoes, cut into ¼-inch slices

8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into ¼-inch slices

12–16 fresh basil leaves (optional)

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy pan over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken and keep it warm.
Spread 1 tablespoon of pesto on one side of each slice of bread. Layer 4 slices with 2 slices of tomato, 1 chicken cutlet, 2 slices of mozzarella, and a few basil leaves. Top with the remaining bread slices, pesto-side down.
Heat a panini press or a large heavy pan over medium heat. Brush with a little olive oil. If using a pan, place a second skillet on top to press down and flip the sandwiches halfway through for even grilling.
Place two sandwiches at a time in the panini press and cook for 5 minutes until crispy on both sides. Repeat with remaining sandwiches.
Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Try adding arugula or spinach for extra greens.
For extra flavor, drizzle balsamic glaze over the tomatoes before closing the sandwich.
For spice, add sliced jalapeños to the filling.
If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat to restore crispiness.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 540
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 90mg