Italian Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe

This Italian Chicken Pesto Sandwich is everything you want in a hearty, flavor-packed meal. Juicy grilled chicken, vibrant pesto, melty mozzarella, and a warm toasted bun come together for a sandwich that tastes like it came straight from an Italian café.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This sandwich is bold, fresh, and incredibly satisfying. The chicken stays juicy, the pesto adds rich herb flavor, and the tomato relish brings brightness. It’s simple enough for weeknights, impressive enough for guests, and loved by the whole family.

Ingredients

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup basil pesto
• 6 Italian bread buns
• 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 6 slices fresh mozzarella or large bocconcini
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Fresh basil leaves, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat a grill pan over high heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides evenly.
4. Brush the grill pan with olive oil and grill chicken for about 3 minutes per side until cooked through.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add cherry tomatoes, shallot, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper, sea salt, and olive oil. Sauté for 5 minutes until tomatoes blister.
7. Spoon pesto over each chicken piece, spread gently, and top with mozzarella. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until cheese melts.
8. Mix melted butter with minced garlic. Brush onto bread halves and toast in the oven for 3–5 minutes.
9. Spread remaining pesto on bread. Add tomato relish, then chicken, and finish with fresh basil. Assemble and serve your Italian Chicken Pesto Sandwich warm.

Tips & Tricks

• Pound chicken slightly for even cooking.
• Use whole-wheat buns for a healthier option.
• Swap mozzarella with provolone if needed.
• Toast bread just until golden to keep it soft inside.

Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 sandwiches
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Grilling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly

Notes

Serve with roasted potatoes, a green salad, or soup. You can also turn this into a wrap or panini for variety.

Nutrition (Approximate per sandwich)

• Calories: 520
• Protein: 38g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fat: 24g

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the chicken and tomato relish ahead and assemble before serving.

Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling?
Absolutely. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.

What pesto works best?
Classic basil pesto delivers the best flavor.

Can I make it spicy?
Add extra red pepper flakes or chili paste.

Is this sandwich freezer-friendly?
Freeze only the cooked chicken, not the assembled sandwich.

Storage

Store cooked chicken and tomato relish separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven.

Similar Recipes

• Hawaiian Roll Grilled Cheese Sliders
• Crispy Potato & Refried Bean Tacos

Italian Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe

Juicy grilled chicken topped with pesto and mozzarellaServed on toasted Italian bread with tomato relishAn easy Italian-style sandwich ready in 35 minutes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Italian-inspired

Ingredients

  

• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup basil pesto
• 6 Italian bread buns
• 3 tablespoons salted butter melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic minced
• 6 slices fresh mozzarella or large bocconcini
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 shallot thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Fresh basil leaves for serving

Instructions

 

• Heat a grill pan over high heat.
• In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
• Pat the chicken dry and season both sides evenly.
• Brush the grill pan with olive oil and grill chicken for about 3 minutes per side until cooked through.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add cherry tomatoes, shallot, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper, sea salt, and olive oil. Sauté for 5 minutes until tomatoes blister.
• Spoon pesto over each chicken piece, spread gently, and top with mozzarella. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until cheese melts.
• Mix melted butter with minced garlic. Brush onto bread halves and toast in the oven for 3–5 minutes.
• Spread remaining pesto on bread. Add tomato relish, then chicken, and finish with fresh basil. Assemble and serve your Italian Chicken Pesto Sandwich warm.

Notes

Serve with roasted potatoes, a green salad, or soup. You can also turn this into a wrap or panini for variety.

 

Conclusion

This Italian Chicken Pesto Sandwich is proof that simple ingredients can create unforgettable flavor. Whether you’re cooking for family or entertaining guests, this sandwich delivers comfort, freshness, and Italian-inspired satisfaction every time.