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% 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% 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.
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.
Jessica
This would be great with Halloumi or Quorn chicken for a veggie version. I love pesto and roast vegetables.
Dannii
oohh, good call with the halloumi. I am going to try that next.
Lizzie
I love that you love carbs. Like you say, no need to cut them out at all.
Dannii
Nope! I do cut down on them sometimes when I have been over doing it, but I never cut them out.
Savita @ ChefDeHome
I agree with you here. We need a balanced meal, there is no need to cut carbs fully to loose weight. PS: Pesto sandwich looks delicious! One of THE favorite sandwich of everyone in my family :)
Dannii
Your family has very good taste then ;)
Janette@culinaryginger
This is my kind of lunch and I'm wishing I had one right now. Delicious recipe.
Dannii
Make one for dinner ;)
Hannah
Have you tried pistachio pesto? It's amazing. I am going to use it in this sandwich, as I love roasted vegetables.
Dannii
I haven't but I keep meaning to. Pistachios are my favourite nut.
Holly at RockOnHolly
Yes!! Finally! A healthy meal that includes bread!! This looks delicious :-) Another great idea xxx
Dannii
I have lots more bread-tastic recipes coming up.
Jess
Oh gosh this looks amazing! I usually just use pesto as a pasta sauce and forget it can go with things like this!
Dannii
There really is so much that you can do with it.
Camilla @FabFood4All
Ooh love the flavour combination here so will be trying out this lush sandwich as we often have pesto in the fridge;-)
Dannii
I hope you enjoy it Camilla!
Kate
Sandwiches being boring is like saying salads are boring. There is so me that you can do with them. I love your ideas!
Dannii
Oh you know me, salads are never boring!
Tracey
Yeah, you're so right. Sandwiches used to be so boring. Ham, ham and more ham. Sadly though sandwiches often still are boring in my household. It's finding the time to put some effort in and spice them up a bit. These recipes do look tasty though - and healthy too. Tx
Dannii
I do like a classic ham sandwich still though. Just with some chutney or something to liven it up.
fashion-mommy
That looks super tasty and super healthy - totally double whammy in my book.
#UKBloggers
Dannii
Thank you :)
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
These vegetable sandwiches look divine, Dannii! Love pesto chicken so much! :D
Dannii
Thanks Jess :)
Cara
It's always so refreshing to read about more people ditching fad diets and just being sensible. Great recipe too Dannii.
Dannii
More people seem to be moving away from fad diets, but is about time I say!
Dave
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
No boring sandwiches for you in the HHH house ;)
Ami@NaiveCookCooks
I totally forgot how much I used to love pesto based sandwiches! These looks perfect for my hungry cravings right now!
Dannii
They just really bring a sandwich to life I think.
Layla
Do you make your own pesto?
Dannii
I usually just buy a really good quality pesto.
Sara
I need some more ideas of what to take to work. I usually just end up buying something, but its getting expensive.
Dannii
I am going to be doing a big feature on healthy packed lunches soon.
mira
This is so great! I need to cut down on carbs! Love the sandwiches!
Dannii
There is so much that you can do with sandwiches.
Joanne
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
It amazes me how people can still eat plan sandwiches. There is so much that you can do with them.
Claire
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
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.