Heart-Healthy Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Elevate your sandwich game with this Heart-Healthy Chicken Pesto Sandwich, a wholesome and flavorful twist on a classic favorite. Crafted with tender, grilled boneless skinless chicken breast, creamy homemade avocado pesto, and vibrant layers of fresh tomato and baby spinach, this recipe is as nutritious as it is delicious. The avocado pesto—featuring ripe avocado, fragrant basil, and zesty lemon juice—adds a luscious, guilt-free richness that pairs perfectly with the nutty warmth of whole grain bread. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy-to-make sandwich is packed with heart-healthy ingredients like olive oil, pine nuts, and spinach, making it a satisfying and nourishing option for lunch or dinner. Whether you grill the sandwich to perfection for a toasty finish or enjoy it as-is, this recipe is sure to become a go-to for anyone seeking a balanced, flavorful meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 4 slices whole grain bread
• 1 piece (approximately 8 oz) boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 medium ripe avocado
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 small tomato
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the avocado pesto. Halve and pit the avocado, then scoop the flesh into a food processor.

Step 2

Add the fresh basil leaves, lemon juice, garlic clove, extra-virgin olive oil, pine nuts, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.

Step 3

Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Step 4

Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.

Step 5

Season the chicken breast with a pinch of salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 6

Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is fully cooked.

Step 7

While the chicken is cooking, slice the tomato into thin rounds.

Step 8

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it thinly.

Step 9

To assemble the sandwich, spread a generous amount of avocado pesto on two slices of whole grain bread.

Step 10

Layer sliced chicken, tomato slices, and baby spinach leaves on top of the pesto.

Step 11

Close the sandwiches with the remaining slices of bread.

Step 12

Optionally, you can grill the finished sandwiches lightly on both sides to warm the bread and slightly melt the pesto.

Step 13

Serve immediately and enjoy your heart-healthy chicken pesto sandwich.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(679.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1309.2

Total Fat 73.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.2g
Cholesterol 172.1mg	0%
Sodium 2106.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 80.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.9g	0%
Total Sugars 16.8g
Protein 87.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 244.6mg	0%
Iron 8.5mg	0%
Potassium 1994.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.7%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 24.2%