Savory Grilled Chicken Pesto Panini Delight
Indulge in this mouthwatering Grilled Chicken Pesto Panini, featuring tender, marinated chicken breasts topped with roasted red peppers and luscious provolone cheese, all tucked between flavorful Italian bread smeared with rich pesto sauce. Perfect for a brunch gathering, quick lunch, or a light dinner, this recipe ensures a hearty and satisfying meal. Whether you're using a dedicated panini maker or a clever skillet method, the result is a crunchy, toasted sandwich loaded with vibrant flavors in every bite. Make it extra special by pairing it with a side salad or crispy chips. Enjoy the burst of Italian flavors today!
4
Servings
600
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (pounded thin)
olive oil
3 tablespoons
fresh minced garlic
1 tablespoon
dried Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon
salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste
roasted red peppers
1 1/2 cups (bottled or canned)
provolone cheese
4 slices (sliced thick)
pesto sauce
1/2-3/4 cup (bottled or homemade)
Italian bread
8 slices (sliced 1/2-inch thick, ciabatta rolls can be used)
olive oil
for brushing on bread
Instructions
1
Begin by pounding the chicken fillets thinly between two sheets of waxed paper for even cooking. In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Marinate the chicken breasts in this mixture for at least 1 hour, preferably longer for more flavor.
2
Preheat your grill pan or sauté pan over medium heat. If using a barbecue grill, heat it to medium as well.
3
Season the marinated chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them on the grill pan and cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
4
Remove the cooked chicken from the heat and transfer it to a cutting board. Top each piece with roasted red peppers and a generous slice of provolone cheese.
5
Spread pesto sauce on both sides of each slice of Italian bread, ensuring a flavorful coating.
6
Assemble the sandwiches by placing the chicken, peppers, and cheese between two slices of the pesto-coated bread.
7
Brush the outside of the sandwiches with olive oil to achieve a golden crust when grilling.
8
Heat a grill pan or a heavy skillet on medium-high heat, and place the assembled panini in the pan, working with two at a time.
9
To ensure proper toasting, weigh down each sandwich with another heavy skillet, using a large can (such as tomato juice) on top for added pressure. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the bread is perfectly toasted.
10
Carefully flip the panini and weigh them down again to toast the other side for another 3 minutes.
11
Once finished, remove the sandwiches from the pan, slice them in half, and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious creation!
Nutrition Information
30
Fat
50
Carbs
40
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Grilled Chicken Pesto Panini Delight?
It is a hearty toasted sandwich featuring marinated chicken breasts, roasted red peppers, provolone cheese, and pesto sauce on Italian bread.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to produce 4 servings.
What type of chicken should be used?
The recipe calls for 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts that have been pounded thin.
Why is the chicken pounded before cooking?
Pounding the chicken fillets thinly between sheets of waxed paper ensures even cooking throughout the breast.
What are the ingredients for the chicken marinade?
The marinade consists of 3 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
How long should the chicken be marinated?
The chicken should marinate for at least 1 hour, though longer is preferred for enhanced flavor.
What is the best way to cook the chicken?
You can cook the chicken on a grill pan, a sauté pan, or a barbecue grill over medium heat.
How long does it take to grill the chicken?
The chicken takes approximately 5 minutes on each side until it is golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
What kind of bread is recommended for the panini?
Italian bread sliced 1/2-inch thick is recommended, though ciabatta rolls are a great alternative.
How much pesto sauce is needed?
The recipe suggests using 1/2 to 3/4 cup of either bottled or homemade pesto sauce.
What type of cheese works best in this recipe?
Thick-sliced provolone cheese is used to provide a luscious, melted texture.
How are the roasted red peppers prepared?
You can use 1 1/2 cups of bottled or canned roasted red peppers.
How do I assemble the sandwich?
Spread pesto on both sides of the bread, then layer the cooked chicken, roasted peppers, and cheese between the slices.
Why should I brush the outside of the bread with olive oil?
Brushing the outside with olive oil helps the bread achieve a perfectly golden and crunchy crust when grilled.
How do I toast the panini without a panini press?
Place the sandwich in a skillet and weigh it down with another heavy skillet and a large can for pressure.
How long should I toast the panini on each side?
Toast the panini for about 3 minutes per side or until the bread is perfectly toasted.
What heat setting should I use for toasting the sandwich?
Use medium-high heat when toasting the assembled panini in a grill pan or skillet.
What are the nutritional calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides about 40 grams of protein.
What is the fat content of this panini?
The fat content is approximately 30 grams per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 50 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick lunch?
Yes, it is marketed as a perfect option for a quick lunch, brunch, or light dinner.
What side dishes pair well with this sandwich?
It pairs excellently with a side salad or crispy potato chips.
Can I use a barbecue grill for this recipe?
Yes, the chicken can be cooked on a barbecue grill heated to medium.
How many individual ingredients are needed?
The recipe requires 11 specific ingredients.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh minced garlic.
What seasoning is used for the chicken?
A blend of dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper is used.
What is the final serving suggestion?
Once finished, remove the sandwiches from the pan, slice them in half, and serve warm.
Can I use homemade pesto?
Absolutely, the recipe allows for either bottled or homemade pesto sauce.
What makes this panini flavor profile Italian?
The combination of Italian bread, pesto, provolone, and Italian seasoning gives it a vibrant burst of Italian flavors.