MEGA Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

2 sandwiches stacked on each other garnished with arugula and pine nuts

5 from 4 votes

MEGA Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Chicken and Pesto makes the ULTIMATE grilled cheese sandwich combo. Juicy chicken wrapped in a homemade basil pesto, paired with sun dried tomatoes and stringy mozzarella - the perfect lunch ready and waiting!

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: Brunch, Leftovers, Lunch

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings:

Author: Chris Collins

Cost: £2.50 / $3

Equipment

Large Frying Pan & Spatula/Turner
Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
Medium Sized Mixing Bowl
Paper Towels

Ingredients

4 large thick slices of Bread (see notes)
1.5 cups / 150g / 5oz Shredded Cooked Chicken
1/3 cup - 1/2 cup (80-120g) Basil Pesto (see notes)
5oz / 150g ball of Fresh Mozzarella, thinly sliced and patted dry to remove moisture
8 Sun Dried Tomatoes, patted dry to remove excess oil
Butter, as needed

Instructions

In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine the chicken and pesto. Place to one side.
Place two slices of bread in a pan with the heat OFF. Spread with butter then flip over so both are butter side down.
Add half the mozzarella, top with chicken pesto, then top with sun dried tomatoes, followed by the other half of the mozzarella. Finish with a slice of bread. Spread butter on top and turn on the heat to a low-medium.
Fry each side until golden and crispy, with the mozzarella melted. Slice in half and enjoy!

Video

Notes

a) Size and filling - These measurements are based on large thick slices of bread. Hence the 'mega' chicken pesto grilled cheese. The filling will stretch to 3 medium or 4 small slices though (increase sun dried tomatoes/mozzarella slightly if you need to).

b) Basil Pesto - Check out my homemade pesto recipe! If you're using store-bought I recommend grabbing some from the fridge section if you can. So much better than the jarred stuff!

c) Mozzarella - Completely up to you whether to use fresh or pre-grated. I don't recommend using any other cheese, mozzarella has a nice subtle flavour with allows the chicken pesto to shine. It also goes perfectly with sun dried tomatoes. If you're using fresh mozzarella in brine it's important to remove excess moisture or it'll turn the sandwich soggy.

d) Sun Dried Tomato Oil - If you are using sun dried tomatoes that have been marinated in oil, it's important to remove as much of the oil as possible. Pesto is already quite an oily ingredient, so you don't want any extra added. Having said that, I wouldn't recommend washing them, just pat them dry. You want to keep some of the flavour.

Nutrition