This easy Pesto Chicken Sandwich is going to be a lunchtime favourite. Ciabatta topped with rocket lettuce, a creamy pesto sauce, mozzarella and grilled chicken breast. Bursting with flavour, lunch never has to be boring again. A chicken pesto sandwich is also great for packing up and taking to work.
We sometimes find ourselves in a bit of a sandwich rut. But move over ham and cheese sandwich, as this pesto chicken sandwich is the new favourite, and so easy to adapt too. You are going to want to put the creamy pesto sauce on everything too.
If you are looking for more ways to use pesto, why not try our quick Pesto Tortellini, simple Chicken Pesto Burgers, our easy Pesto Salmon or our delicious Pesto Chicken Pasta?
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Why you will love it
- Make lunch time more exciting - In a lunch time rut? This pesto sandwich is going to bring you right out of it.
- A great way to use up leftover chicken - You can grill up a chicken breast for this, or you can use up leftovers from a roast chicken.
- An incredible creamy pesto sauce - You are going to want to put this sauce on everything.
- Easy to adapt - Like any sandwich, this is easy to adapt with your favourite sandwich fillings.
Ingredients needed
- Bread - When it comes to sandwiches, there are so many bread choices. We used ciabatta rolls, but bagels also work well. You could use a couple of slices of your favourite loaf, like a sour dough or seeded bread. You could even mix thing up and stuff everything into a pita or wrap.
- Chicken - We used a grilled chicken breast for this, however it is also a great way to use up leftover chicken from our Slow Cooked Chicken Breast, Best Roast Chicken or Slow Cooker Whole Chicken. Have an air fryer? Use our Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
- Pesto - Homemade pesto is always best and we have given the recipe for one below. However, you can use a good quality store bought one if you want to save some time.
- Yogurt and mayonnaise - This is what the pesto is mixed into to make a creamy sauce. We used a 0% fat Greek yoghurt and reduced fat mayo.
- Lettuce - Sandwiches need some greens and we used rocket lettuce (arugula) because it adds a lovely peppery flavour. You could use romaine instead, which would add a nice crunch.
- Cheese - We used slices of mozzarella, but you could use a smoked cheddar or even goats cheese.
- Sun-dried tomatoes - These add a lovely burst of flavour to the sandwiches. You could swap them for fresh beef tomato slices instead.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make pesto chicken sandwich - Step by step
One: Mix the pesto with the Greek yogurt and mayo.
Two: Spread it on the halved ciabattas.
Three: Top with rocket (arugula) lettuce.
Four: Add the mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes.
Five: Top with grilled chicken.
Creamy pesto sauce
You are going to want to put this sauce on everything. It's so simple to make, you will wonder why you haven't been making it forever. Just your favourite pesto, stirred into some yogurt and mayonnaise for a creamy and herb packed sauce that pairs beautifully with chicken.
You can use any pesto, even a red pesto if you like, but why not try making our Mixed Herb Pesto or Carrot Top Pesto? It's a great way to use up a few different leftovers herbs you might have hanging around your fridge.
Variations
There are so many options when it comes to stacking this sandwich. We used sun-dried tomatoes, but you could swap them for olives. We used rocket lettuce for some greens and that delicious peppery taste, however you could use any salad greens.
Add some fresh tomato and cucumber or even some grilled peppers.
We used mozzarella in these sandwiches, however you can swap it out for your favourite cheese. A really strong cheddar works well, or some Swiss cheese. Basically, anything that melts well.
Extra tips
- You can use a couple of slices of your favourite bread, a roll or a bagel, pita or wrap.
- If you don't have any leftover grilled chicken, you can grill some fresh or shred up some leftover roast chicken.
- You can use any pesto in the creamy sauce.
- Swap the rocket for spinach or your favourite salad greens.
- You can add fresh tomato and cucumber or some grilled peppers.
- We used mozzarella, but you could use a strong cheddar or Swiss cheese instead.
- You could put the sandwich in a panini press after you have made it.
Frequently Asked Questions
These sandwiches are best made from fresh and eaten straight away. Any leftovers of the chicken and pesto sauce can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for 2 days.
These are pretty filling by themselves, but if you wanted to have some sides then we recommend our Greek Potatoes, Oven Baked Onion Rings, or No Mayo Coleslaw.
More sandwich recipes
If you’ve tried this pesto chicken sandwich recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Pesto Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 Ciabattas
- 200 g (7 oz) Chicken breast - grilled and sliced
- 2 tablespoon Pesto
- 2 tablespoon 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 30 g (1.5 cups) Rocket (arugula)
- 0.5 ball Mozzarella - thinly sliced
- 4 Sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Mix 2 tablespoon Pesto with 2 tablespoon 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise.
- Spread it on two halves of 2 Ciabattas.
- Top with 30 g Rocket (arugula).
- Add 0.5 ball Mozzarella (sliced) and 4 Sun-dried tomatoes.
- Top with 200 g Chicken breast.
Recipe Tips
- You can use a couple of slices of your favourite bread, a roll or a bagel, pita or wrap.
- If you don't have any leftover grilled chicken, you can grill some fresh or shred up some leftover roast chicken.
- You can use any pesto in the creamy sauce.
- Swap the rocket for spinach or your favourite salad greens.
- You can add fresh tomato and cucumber or some grilled peppers.
- We used mozzarella, but you could use a strong cheddar or Swiss cheese instead.
- You could put the sandwich in a panini press after you have made it.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
fashion-mommy says
That looks super tasty and super healthy - totally double whammy in my book.
#UKBloggers
Dannii says
Thank you :)
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
These vegetable sandwiches look divine, Dannii! Love pesto chicken so much! :D
Dannii says
Thanks Jess :)
Cara says
It's always so refreshing to read about more people ditching fad diets and just being sensible. Great recipe too Dannii.
Dannii says
More people seem to be moving away from fad diets, but is about time I say!
Dave says
I love bread - and definitely love sandwiches! There is so much you can do with them. I really loved this sandwich - one of my favourites!
Dannii says
No boring sandwiches for you in the HHH house ;)
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
I totally forgot how much I used to love pesto based sandwiches! These looks perfect for my hungry cravings right now!
Dannii says
They just really bring a sandwich to life I think.
Layla says
Do you make your own pesto?
Dannii says
I usually just buy a really good quality pesto.
Sara says
I need some more ideas of what to take to work. I usually just end up buying something, but its getting expensive.
Dannii says
I am going to be doing a big feature on healthy packed lunches soon.
mira says
This is so great! I need to cut down on carbs! Love the sandwiches!
Dannii says
There is so much that you can do with sandwiches.
Joanne says
Yay for celebrating carbs! And good sandwiches! They are few and far between in my opinion, but you've nailed it with this one!
Dannii says
It amazes me how people can still eat plan sandwiches. There is so much that you can do with them.
Claire says
The whole carb hing has always confused me, as all the celebs are always cutting out carbs and they look so good. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Dannii says
You have to think about health. You don't know how healthy they are by looking at them and although they might lose a little weight initially, they can't be carb free forever and it will catch up with them.
Kelsey says
Pesto and roasted vegetables go so well together. I am a big fan of carbs too. I have been stupid enough to cut them out in the past and I just felt horrible. Since increasing my carb intake, I have actually lost weight.
Dannii says
That's so good to hear. There is no need to fear carbs.
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I really love the idea of this sandwich.
Dannii says
Thanks Bintu :)
Tina @ The Spicy Pear says
I love bread, especially seeded ones. And who could say no to grilled chicken with pesto and roasted vegetables. Def a great way to liven your lunchtime, as well as your taste buds.
Dannii says
Seeded bread is my favourite too.
Janie says
Looks delish!
Janie x
Dannii says
Thanks :)
Louisa says
A lovely idea for a healthy sandwich filling, especially for pesto fiends like myself. I ADORE the stuff and have probably made pretty much every permutation possible now. I quite often have a roasted veggie and pesto sandwich or wrap but I'm reckoning a bit of grilled chicken and yoghurt too would be heavenly!
Dannii says
Yay - another pesto fiend :D