Thursday, September 13, 2018

Pesto Chicken Sandwich on Sourdough

Pesto Chicken Sandwich on Sourdough
You’re going to love this pesto chicken sandwich. Sourdough, toasted in olive oil and topped with grilled chicken, pesto, Swiss cheese, and fresh tomatoes. A perfect easy and attractive dinner for guests or a cozy night in.
We’ve hit week three of our April Hot Sandwiches series, and I’m going to be honest, while I LOVE the contents of hot sandwich month (my Easy Homemade Panini, Spicy Chicken Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and Chipotle Turkey Panini are some of my favorite meals period), I am so glad that it is almost over. Sandwiches, it turns out, are surprisingly the absolute worst to photograph.
You might notice that there are only one and a half Pesto Chicken Sandwich on Sourdoughs in these photos. That’s because I rage-ate the other half of one out of frustration in the middle of the photo shoot. If you’re going to throw an adult temper tantrum, I highly recommend doing it with one of these in your hands. It’s a delicious way to blow off a little steam. 
But on to the sandwich: I’m going to keep this one short and sweet because this here’s a sandwich that speaks for itself. In the hierarchy, of sandwiches, a Pesto Chicken Sandwich on Sourdough has to be near the top.
You’ve got bright and salty pesto slathered over toasty sourdough and piled high with perfectly grilled chicken, Swiss cheese, and tomatoes. Pretty much all the best things in life in one delicious sandwich.
This is one of my favorite dinners for guests, because it’s fantastically easy, looks beautiful, and tastes so darn good. It’s also generously sized, so no one’s leaving the table hungry, and it’s a perfect way to use up extra leftover pesto you have sitting around your kitchen!

Feed guests good food to bursting AND use up leftovers? Who’s the host with the most now?

Pesto Chicken Sandwich on Sourdough
You’re going to love this pesto chicken sandwich. Sourdough, toasted in olive oil and topped with grilled chicken, pesto, Swiss cheese, and fresh tomatoes. A perfect easy and attractive dinner for guests or a cozy night in.
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 630 kcal
Author Tracy

Ingredients
  • 1 pound (about 2 small) boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded thin
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper
  • 8 slices sourdough bread
  • 1/4 cup pesto
  • Mayonnaise optional
  • 2 medium tomatoes sliced
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • Olive oil optional
Instructions
  1. Sprinkle both sides of your flattened chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat an electric counter-top grill or large skillet over medium-high heat. If using a skillet, spray with cooking spray or coat with a little olive oil. Cook chicken breasts for 5 to 8 minutes per side, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers of the breasts reads 165°Transfer chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into 1/2-inch wide strips. Wipe out your pan.
  3. Assemble sandwiches by spreading mayonnaise (if desireand about a tablespoon of pesto over the bread. Top with chicken, tomatoes, and cheese, and brush tops and bottoms of the sandwiches lightly with olive oil or a thin layer of mayonnaise to help them brown.
  4. Cook sandwiches over medium to medium high heat until first side is toasted and flip. The sandwiches are done when both sides are golden and the cheese is melted. If making in a skillet, you will probably only be able to fit two sandwiches at a time in the pan. Place cooked sandwiches on a plate in a warm oven while you repeat the process with the last two sandwiches to keep them warm.
Recipe Notes
  • Make Ahead Instructions: Chicken can be cooked up to two days in advance, but needs to be reheated before going on the sandwich because it won't heat through while toasting the bread. Everything else should be cut and assembled just before cooking.
  • Recipe For Two Instructions: Recipe halves cleanly.
  • Freezer Notes: This sandwich does not hold up well for freezing, but unused sourdough and any extra chicken can be stored in the freezer in air-tight containers for up four months.