Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwiches Recipes

CHICKEN PESTO SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto over each chicken breast; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 3-5 minutes on each side or until no longer pink., Spread 3 tablespoons pesto over six slices of toast; layer with red peppers, chicken and cheese. Spread remaining pesto over remaining toast; place over top.

PESTO GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Spread one side of a slice of bread with butter, and place it, buttered side down, into a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Spread the top of the bread slice in the skillet with half the pesto sauce, and place a slice of provolone cheese, the tomato slices, and the slice of American cheese onto the pesto.
• Spread remaining pesto sauce on one side of the second slice of bread, and place the bread slice, pesto side down, onto the sandwich. Butter the top side of the sandwich.
• Gently fry the sandwich, flipping once, until both sides of the bread are golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes per side.

GRILLED PESTO-MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix together pesto, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pepper, and salt in a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Cook chicken on the preheated grill over indirect heat until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place chicken in shallow glass or plastic dish. Brush 2 tablespoons of the pesto over tops of chicken; turn chicken. Brush with 2 tablespoons of the pesto; sprinkle with salt. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Grill chicken uncovered 4 to 6 inches from medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until juice is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Add bell pepper for last 10 minutes of grilling until bell pepper is crisp-tender. Add bread for last 3 minutes of grilling, turning once until toasted.
• Cut bell pepper into strips. Spread remaining 1/2 cup pesto on one side of bread slices. Place chicken on 4 bread slices; top with bell pepper, basil and remaining bread.

GRILLED CHICKEN PESTO PANINI

Steps:

• Pound the chicken fillets until thin between two pieces of waxed paper, then marinate in oil, garlic, pepper and Italian seasoning for about 1-1/2 hours.
• Heat a grill pan or sauté pan (the breasts can also be grilled on the BBQ).
• Season the breasts with salt and pepper.
• Cook the chicken on medium heat for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through.
• Remove from pan and place on a plate or board.
• Top each fillet with some of the roasted peppers and a slice of cheese.
• Spread BOTH sides of the bread with pesto sauce.
• Place chicken inside the bread and form to a sandwich.
• Brush both sides of the outside of bread with olive oil.
• Heat a grill pan or a 10-inch skillet on medium high heat. Place the panini in the pan (only 2 at a time).
• Weigh the panini down with another heavy skillet and then top with a heavy can (a very large can of tomato juice works great for this!) cook for about 3 minutes, or until bread is toasted.
• Turn the panini, and weigh it down again with a heavy skillet and a can on top, and toast for another 3 minutes.
• Remove from pan and cut in half.

GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICHES WITH SAGE PESTO AND APPLES

Steps:

• Using on/off turns, blend sage leaves, pine nuts, parsley, and garlic in processor until mixture is finely chopped. With machine running, add 3/4 cup oil and blend until thick paste forms. Mix in cheese. Transfer to small bowl; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface of pesto and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Place each chicken breast between sheets of waxed paper. Using rolling pin or meat mallet, pound each to 1/2-inch thickness. Brush chicken with 3 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let chicken stand 30 minutes.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Grill chicken until firm to touch and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter. Grill focaccia until just beginning to brown, about 1 minute per side.
• Arrange bottom halves of focaccia on work surface. Spread each with mayonnaise. Top each with overlapping layer of sliced apple, then 1 chicken breast. Drizzle each chicken breast with pesto. Spread pesto on cut side of bread tops. Place tops on chicken, pesto side down. Cut sandwiches in half on diagonal. Transfer sandwiches to plates and serve.

SMOKY BELL-PEPPER PESTO ON GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil. Grill chicken until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Let stand 5 minutes, then slice on the bias.
• Pulse bell peppers, chipotle pepper, garlic, almonds, and oregano in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons oil and process until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spread each slice of bread with pesto. Layer with sliced chicken, escarole, and cheddar.