This chicken pesto panini is such a simple sandwich, but has SO much flavor. If you're a fan of delicious and easy meals, then you're in for a treat with this recipe. Not only is it easy to put together, but it has plenty of flavor that you will love. This panini has a lot of ingredients that all add to its texture and flavor: sourdough bread, pesto chicken, bacon, sautéed red onions, mashed avocado, provolone cheese, pesto-mayo sauce, and tomatoes. It may sound like a lot, but trust me--you'll want it all!
Chicken Pesto Panini Ingredients
First, let's talk about sourdough bread. It's the perfect bread for a panini because it holds up well when grilled and has a great flavor. However, the pesto chicken is the star ingredient of the sandwich! The juicy and flavorful chicken, cooked in a pesto sauce, gives it an herby and garlicky taste.
All of the other ingredients add plenty to the sandwich as well. The bacon adds a smoky flavor and a crispy texture, while the sautéed red onions provide a sweet and savory element. The mashed avocado gives the sandwich a creamy texture, and the provolone cheese is there because you just can't have a sandwich without cheese! The tomatoes add necessary freshness, and the pesto-mayo sauce ties everything together and keeps the sandwich from being dry.
The beauty in any sandwich recipe is that you can easily change ANY of the ingredients if you'd like. If you don't like tomatoes, leave them out! If you don't like red onions, switch them out for another kind! Really, it's the easiest recipe to customize any way you want without fear of messing it up. I love substituting the butter for some roasted garlic butter if I've made some beforehand!
This chicken pesto panini is an easy-to-make, flavor-packed sandwich that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. With its variety of ingredients, it's a well-rounded meal that is sure to leave you satisfied. If you're looking for other great sandwich recipes, make sure to check out my five spice chicken banh mi sandwich and my vegetarian Greek sandwich recipes!
If you try out this chicken pesto panini, I’d LOVE to hear about it. You can leave a comment below the recipe, or if you post a picture on Instagram, be sure to tag me! Getting any feedback on my recipes is both rewarding AND helpful as I write and edit recipes in the future.
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 8 strips of cooked bacon
- ½ red onion, sliced
- 1 large avocado
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 4 slices provolone cheese (or more, if you'd like)
- ½ cup pesto
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salted butter
- 8 slices sourdough or ciabatta bread
Instructions
- Before making the chicken, prep the other sandwich toppings. Mash the avocado and set aside. In a small frying pan, warm 1 tablespoon of oil on medium heat. Add the sliced red onions and saute for about 3-4 minutes, until they begin to turn translucent. Set aside. Next, prep the pesto sauce-mix ¼ cup of mayonnaise with 2 tablespoon of pesto.
- Heat a large frying pan on medium-high heat. Slice the two chicken breasts horizontally (think hamburger bun style). Lightly salt each side of the 4 slices of chicken breast. Then spread a spoonful of pesto on 1 side of each chicken slice. Place the chicken pesto-side down in the heated frying pan. Smooth pesto on the top side of the chicken and cover the pan with a lid. Allow to cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until it starts to turn golden-brown. Flip the chicken over and cook for 3-4 minutes until completely cooked through and golden brown. Remove chicken from the pan and cover.
- Butter each slice of bread and put butter-side down on a cutting board. Spread the pesto-mayo sauce on all 8 slices of bread. Place a slice of cheese on four of the slices of bread. Then add the mashed avocado, sauteed onion, tomato, chicken and bacon. Place the other slices of bread on top, butter-side up.
- Heat a griddle or frying pan on medium heat (you could also use a panini press if you have one). Heat on each side until golden-brown and cheese has melted. Press down on the sandwich with a spatula as it's cooking. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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