Chicken Pesto Sandwich

5 from 4 votes
6 Comments

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This Chicken Pesto Sandwich is our version of our favorite deli’s sandwich. Fresh homemade pesto, bacon, cheese all on a ciabatta roll, you just can’t go wrong!

Chicken Pesto Sandwich cut in halves on a cutting board.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in this Chicken Pesto Sandwich
  2. Homemade Pesto Sauce
  3. Tips for Making the Perfect Chicken Pesto Sandwich
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Other Sandwiches You’ll Love
  6. How to Make a Chicken Pesto Sandwich
  7. Chicken Pesto Sandwich Recipe

This Chicken Pesto Sandwich is our take on a sandwich we used to get at Cubby’s restaurant in Utah. We first tried this years ago and fell in love with the grilled chicken, crisp bacon and fresh mozzarella cheese, topped with fragrant pesto sauce. Unfortunately, Cubby’s no longer offers this sandwich on their menu and we are so sad! It was so good and we wish they’d bring it back. But until then, we have our version of this pesto chicken sandwich to make at home!

Ingredients in this Chicken Pesto Sandwich

This recipe makes two large sandwiches but you can easily double the ingredients and serve for dinner with a side of pasta salad or potato chips. Here’s what you need:

  • Boneless skinless chicken breast – one large chicken breast will be enough to two sandwiches. You can also use chicken cutlets (about three per sandwich)
  • Olive Oil – I like using extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.
  • Salt and Pepper – to taste
  • Ciabatta rolls – you can also use sourdough toast, Italian bread, or any bread you have on hand.
  • Pesto – our homemade basil pesto is SO easy to make and much better than anything you’ll find at a grocery store.!
  • Mayonnaise – You’ll only need about half a tablespoon or so to spread on each slice of bread with the pesto sauce.
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese – Mozzarella melts beautifully on this sandwich! You could use provolone cheese too.
  • Bacon – four slices, cooked
  • Fresh Arugula – Arugula offers a spicy kick to the sandwich, and an incredible crunch.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes – optional
  • Parmesan cheese – optional
Ingredients to make Chicken Pesto Sandwiches including ciabatta bread, bacon, arugula, pesto, mayo, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and olive oil.


Homemade Pesto Sauce

Pesto is super easy to make in the food processor and tastes delicious on so many things! Use it on pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, chicken and steak. Try our homemade pesto recipe for this sandwich and then save some for other recipes.

Hand stirring Homemade Pesto in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Tips for Making the Perfect Chicken Pesto Sandwich

  • If you’re making this sandwich during the summer, go ahead and fire up the grill to cook the chicken.
  • You can also use a grill pan on the stove or use an indoor electric grill like a George Foreman or bake it in the oven.
  • Use FRESH mozzarella for this sandwich for optimal melting and flavor.
  • Ciabatta bread tastes delicious, but this would also taste great on our Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia Bread.
Toasted Chicken Pesto Sandwiches on a cutting board with fresh arugula, sun dried tomatoes, bacon, pesto mayo and mozzarella cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes well with pesto?

Pesto pairs perfectly with mayo or Greek yogurt to make a yummy sandwich spread for this sandwich. You can also use pesto sauce to dip veggies or as a pizza sauce.

What cheese goes with pesto?

Mozzarella is my favorite on this sandwich but you can use white cheddar, parmesan, gouda, or provolone cheese. These mild cheeses go well with the stronger flavors of pesto.

What meat goes best with pesto?

Pesto tastes delicious with chicken, grilled steak, pork, and fish. Try it on meatballs or meatloaf too!

READ NEXT:35+ Quick and Easy Lunch Ideas

Other Sandwiches You’ll Love

If you love this Chicken Pesto Sandwich, you will really enjoy these other delicious sandwich recipes too!

How to Make a Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Cutting board with a Chicken Pesto Sandwich cut in half and one whole.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich

5 from 4 votes
This Chicken Pesto Sandwich is my favorite sandwich EVER! It has all of my favorite ingredients – bacon, pesto, cheese – you just can’t go wrong!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 2

Equipment

  • Outdoor Grill

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut chicken breast in half and pound it to thin it out. Drizzle olive oil over both sides and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    Cutting board with flattened chicken breasts with oil, salt and pepper for Chicken Pesto Sandwiches.
  • Grill chicken until cooked through.
    Grilling Chicken breasts on a bbq for Chicken Pesto Sandwiches.
  • While chicken is grilling, cut ciabatta rolls in half. Set aside.
    Cutting board with ciabatta bread and pesto mayo for Chicken Pesto Sandwiches.
  • Mix pesto and mayonnaise together and spread evenly over the ciabatta roll halves. Top with fresh mozzarella. On the top rack of the oven, broil on high until the bread is golden brown on the edges and the cheese is slightly melted about 2-3 minutes.
    Cutting board with ciabatta bread spread with pesto mayo and topped with fresh mozzarella cheese for Chicken Pesto Sandwiches.
  • Add chicken, bacon, arugula, and tomatoes to each sandwich.
    Assembling two Chicken Pesto Sandwiches on a cutting board with ciabatta bread, pesto mayo, chicken breast, bacon, sun dried tomatoes and arugula.
  • Serve immediately.
    Close up of two Chicken Pesto Sandwiches on a cutting board assembled on ciabatta bread.

Notes

  •  
  • If you’re making this sandwich during the summer, go ahead and fire up the grill to cook the chicken. You can also use a grill pan on the stove or an indoor electric grill like a George Foreman, or you can bake it in the oven. 
  • Use fresh mozzarella for this sandwich for optimal melting and flavor. 
  • Ciabatta bread tastes delicious, but this would also taste great on our rosemary Parmesan focaccia bread. 
  •  

Nutrition Information

Calories: 522kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 35gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 859mgPotassium: 505mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 335IUVitamin C: 1.3mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.6mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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Comments

  1. Oh wow! I was just wondering what to do with all the basil and ciabatta bread I have.. this is going to be out lunch tomorrow.

  2. 5 stars
    You can’t go wrong with the combo of mayo, cheese, bacon and chicken! So tasty, I want this for lunch right now!