Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Leftover chicken on hand? This Chicken Pesto Sandwich is the perfect way to use it up! It only takes minutes to make these sandwiches that are perfect for lunches or easy dinners – especially in the summer!

Want more chicken sandwich ideas? These Ranch Chicken Sandwiches with Ranch Slaw also use up leftover chicken!

Back a couple of months ago, I was desperate for easy dinner ideas that I could take with us to the ballpark. My daughter was playing high school softball, and the games would start at 3:30 and we’d be there until usually after 7:00.

I didn’t want to have to make dinner when we got home, and eating out every night she had games was not an option.

So I started making sandwiches. It was actually kind of fun, because I got to try a lot of different combinations. I’d pack a sandwich dinner in the ice chest and we’d have our own dinner at the ballpark.

This Chicken Pesto Sandwich was one of our favorites. They made an appearance more than once. And we loved them so much that we’ve had them a time or two even now that high school season is over!

Ingredients

• Chicken: This is yet another great way to use cooked, shredded chicken. If you keep it on hand, (I keep some in the freezer), then dinner is always just a few minutes away! You can also use a rotisserie chicken that has been shredded. That is actually what I used in these photos because we had some leftover.
• Pesto: If you have basil on hand, you can make homemade pesto. But if not, store bought works as well!
• Mayonnaise & Greek Yogurt: You could really use all of one of these, but I like the mixture of the mayo and yogurt.
• Rolls: I love these ciabatta rolls and use them all of the time for sandwiches. (I get them at Walmart, but many other grocery stores will have something similar.) That being said, you can use any kind of rolls, or even Italian bread that is cut into individual sandwich sizes.
• Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella is best on this sandwich, but if you don’t have fresh, you can use another sliced mozzarella.
• Arugula or Spinach: I have used all arugula, and have used all spinach, and have used a mixture of spinach and arugula. All work well!
• Tomatoes: A good garden tomato is my first choice, but any tomato will work.

How to Make Chicken Pesto Sandwiches

STEP 1: Combine the chicken with the pesto, mayonnaise, and Greek yogurt in a large bowl. Mix well.

STEP 2: Place 1/4 of the chicken mixture on the bottom half of one roll.

STEP 3: Place 1/4 of the cheese over the chicken mixture. I used cheese that was pre-sliced. You can just add the slices, or tear it up so that it covers the whole sandwich.

STEP 4: Then add your tomatoes and your arugula. Place the top half of the roll on top. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Tips and Tricks

You can easily make the chicken filling and keep it in the fridge to make sandwiches one at a time throughout the week.

If you are using ciabatta rolls, they hold up really well, so I can easily make these sandwiches several hours before we eat them. I wouldn’t make them a day in advance, (the tomatoes are what will get mushy), but you can easily make them earlier in the day.

If you really love pesto, you can add more to the chicken mixture, or spread some over the underside of the top bun.

More Easy Sandwich Recipes

Club Sandwich
Italian Sub
Mini Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

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