Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Crispy sourdough filled with shredded chicken, vibrant pesto, and gooey mozzarella. A satisfying Italian-American fusion sandwich ready in minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough or Italian bread
02 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced or shredded
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Protein

04 - 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast

→ Sauces & Spreads

05 - 3 tbsp basil pesto

→ Optional Add-Ins

06 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 small tomato, thinly sliced
08 - Fresh basil leaves

# How-To:

01 - Lay out the bread slices. Spread 1 to 1.5 tbsp pesto onto two of the slices.
02 - Evenly distribute the shredded chicken on top of the pesto-covered slices.
03 - Layer mozzarella cheese over the chicken. Add tomato slices and fresh basil if desired. Sprinkle with Parmesan for enhanced flavor.
04 - Top with the remaining bread slices to form complete sandwiches.
05 - Spread the softened butter on the outsides of each sandwich, coating both top and bottom surfaces.
06 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet, pressing gently with a spatula. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
07 - Remove from the skillet and let rest for 1 minute. Cut in half and serve while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms leftover chicken into something that tastes like you planned it all along.
  • The pesto adds a bright, herby punch that keeps every bite interesting.
  • You get that crispy, buttery crust with molten cheese in the middle, which is basically the point of any great grilled cheese.
  • It comes together in 20 minutes, so you can make it on a weeknight without any stress.
02 -
  • Medium heat is crucial, if the pan is too hot, the bread will burn before the cheese melts.
  • Softened butter spreads way easier than cold butter and prevents tearing the bread.
  • Pressing the sandwich gently with a spatula helps everything meld together and speeds up the melting process.
03 -
  • Use a panini press if you have one, it makes the whole process faster and gives you those beautiful grill marks.
  • Let the sandwich rest for a minute before cutting so the cheese doesn't all spill out onto your plate.
  • If you're making multiple sandwiches, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.
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