Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Golden grilled cheese with shredded chicken, basil pesto, and melted mozzarella. A delicious fusion sandwich ready in just 20 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough or Italian bread
02 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced or shredded
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Protein

04 - 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast

→ Sauces & Spreads

05 - 3 tablespoons basil pesto

→ Optional Add-Ins

06 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 small tomato, thinly sliced
08 - Fresh basil leaves

# How To Make:

01 - Lay out the bread slices. Spread 1 to 1.5 tablespoons pesto onto two of the slices.
02 - Evenly distribute the shredded chicken on top of the pesto-covered slices.
03 - Layer mozzarella cheese over the chicken. Add tomato slices and fresh basil if using. Sprinkle with Parmesan for extra flavor if desired.
04 - Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
05 - Spread the softened butter on the outsides of each sandwich, covering both top and bottom surfaces.
06 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet, pressing them slightly with a spatula. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from the skillet, let rest for 1 minute, then cut in half and serve warm.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The pesto creates this incredible aromatic base that makes every bite feel fancy
  • Its basically dinner disguised as a comfort food classic
  • The mozzarella gets all melty and holds everything together beautifully
02 -
  • Low and slow wins the race here—too high heat and you'll burn the bread before the cheese melts
  • A good press with your spatula helps everything meld together while it cooks
  • The one-minute rest period feels impossible but makes a huge difference in the final texture
03 -
  • Butter the bread to the very edges to prevent any dry or unbrowned spots
  • If your mozzarella is very wet, pat it dry with paper towels first to avoid a soggy sandwich
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