Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Golden grilled cheese with shredded chicken, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil pesto. A savory fusion sandwich perfect for lunch or dinner.

# What You'll 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 Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pesto and melted mozzarella create this incredibly rich, velvety sauce right in the sandwich
  • It transforms boring leftover chicken into something that feels fancy enough for company
  • The whole thing comes together in under twenty minutes with ingredients you probably already have
02 -
  • Medium low heat is your friend here, high heat burns the bread before the cheese has time to melt properly
  • Pressing down too hard squeezes out all the good melted cheese, gentle pressure is all you need
  • Letting the sandwich rest for even one minute after cooking makes a huge difference in how it slices
03 -
  • Mayo instead of butter on the outside creates an even crispier, more golden crust that will not burn as easily
  • Use a mixture of mozzarella and provolone for a sharper, more complex cheese flavor profile
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