Buttery, golden brown and crispy on the outside and savoury and cheesy on the inside, this chicken pesto grilled cheese sandwich is such a satisfying treat for lunch or dinner. With some good bread, butter, chicken, melty cheese, herbaceous pesto mayo and veggies, what’s not to love? This cheesy chicken pesto sandwich recipe is sure to be a comfort food favourite!

Stack of four chicken pesto grilled cheese sandwich halves with a hot pepper on top.

It’s a good thing that cheese agrees with me because I’m obsessed. All kinds of cheese, I’m for it. Loves it!

So any excuse to eat cheese, I’m in! I guess that’s why I enjoy grilled cheese sandwiches so much. Cheese and bread, what a combination.

That’s another thing I love, bread. Well, not just any bread. There’s a local bakery that seriously makes the best bread. I love going there first thing in the morning.

As soon as I hit the parking lot, I notice the smell of homemade bread blowing through the air. And, it’s still warm when I grab a loaf. That’s heaven right there, I tells ya!

For this particular grilled chicken pesto sandwich, I used a honey oat bread, but you could use whatever variety of sandwich bread you enjoy best.

How To Make It

Full details on how to make this chicken pesto grilled cheese sandwich are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

For each sandwich, spread some pesto mayo over one side of each bread slice.
Top one of those slices with cooked chicken.
Layer on thinly sliced onion and baby spinach.
Top with plenty of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Add the top slice of bread to form the sandwich, then spread some butter on the outside of the bread slices.
Pan fry the sandwiches until the outside is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melty inside.

Collage of steps to make a cheesy grilled chicken pesto sandwich.

Grilled cheese sandwich in a cast-iron pan.

Pesto Mayo

Pesto mayo is super simple to prepare! Just like I used in my chicken pesto baguette sandwich, stir together pesto and mayonnaise.

I like to use a regular green pesto, but you can totally use another variety, like sun-dried tomato or arugula pesto.

Two halves of a chicken pesto grilled cheese sandwich, one half resting on the other half.

Can I Use Turkey Instead?

Absolutely! If you have some cooked turkey from another meal, you can use that instead of chicken. Both are delicious options for this pesto grilled cheese.

Stack of three chicken pesto grilled cheese sandwich halves.

What To Serve With It

I just love serving briny pickled hot peppers or a big pickle with grilled cheese. It contrasts lovely with the rich flavours of the sandwich.

Another side I love to serve this with is potato chips (such a sucker for those with a sandwich).

And, of course, a total classic is to serve a grilled cheese sandwich with a big bowl of tomato basil soup. Always a favourite, especially in the colder months. So comforting, isn’t it?

Hand holding one half of a grilled cheese sandwich.

More Yummy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

If you make this deliciously cheesy grilled chicken pesto sandwich recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Dawn | Girl Heart Food

Buttery, golden brown and crispy on the outside and savoury and cheesy on the inside, this chicken pesto grilled cheese sandwich is such a satisfying treat for lunch or dinner. With some good bread, butter, chicken, melty cheese, herbaceous pesto mayo and veggies, what's not to love? This cheesy chicken pesto sandwich recipe is sure to be a comfort food favourite!

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Lunch

Servings 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

¼ cup mayonnaise
1.5 tablespoons pesto
4 slices sandwich bread, I used a honey oat variety (use your favourite)
4 to 5 ounces cooked chicken, sliced or shredded
thinly sliced red onion, to taste
baby spinach, to taste
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, about 3 ounces
butter, enough to spread over outside of each sandwich

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together the mayo and pesto until combined.
Spread the pesto mayo over one side of all four bread slices.
Divide the chicken between two of those slices and layer on red onion and spinach. Next, divide the shredded mozzarella cheese between the two slices, placing on top of the spinach. Place the remaining bread slices over top of each (with the pesto mayo side on the inside) to form the two sandwiches.
Spread some butter over the outside of the bread slices.
Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium-low to medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side until the outside is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melty inside. Serve and enjoy!

A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Keyword chicken grilled cheese, chicken pesto sandwich recipe, chicken sandwich, lunch idea

Tried this recipe?

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