Nut-Free Pesto Chicken Melt

Elevate your sandwich game with this Nut-Free Pesto Chicken Melt, a flavorful twist on a classic comfort food! Perfectly seasoned chicken breasts are pan-seared to golden perfection, then layered with creamy homemade nut-free pesto, fresh tomato slices, and gooey mozzarella cheese on toasted ciabatta buns. The secret to this vibrant pesto lies in blending fresh basil, garlic, grated Parmesan, and a splash of zesty lemon juice—an allergy-friendly alternative to traditional recipes. Once assembled, these hearty sandwiches are baked to melty, cheesy bliss. Ready in just 40 minutes, this makes an easy yet indulgent lunch, dinner, or game-day treat. Bursting with bold flavors and hearty textures, it's a must-try for pesto lovers and sandwich enthusiasts alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces Mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 4 pieces Ciabatta buns
• 4 slices Tomato slices

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through and golden brown. Set aside to rest.

Step 4

To make the nut-free pesto, add the basil leaves and garlic cloves into a food processor. Pulse until roughly chopped.

Step 5

Add the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice to the food processor. Slowly stream in the extra virgin olive oil while pulsing until smooth and well combined. Set aside.

Step 6

Cut the cooked chicken breasts into thin slices.

Step 7

Slice the ciabatta buns in half and spread a generous amount of nut-free pesto on each piece.

Step 8

Layer the sliced chicken on the bottom half of each ciabatta bun, followed by tomato slices and sliced mozzarella cheese.

Step 9

Place the tops on the sandwiches and wrap each one in aluminum foil.

Step 10

Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Step 11

Remove from the oven, unwrap the foil, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1257.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3480.4

Total Fat 221.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 514.0mg	0%
Sodium 6329.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 177.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.8g	0%
Total Sugars 14.9g
Protein 203.1g	0%

Vitamin D 17.4IU	0%
Calcium 1792.9mg	0%
Iron 14.9mg	0%
Potassium 1760.1mg	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: 56.7%

Protein: 23.1%

Carbs: 20.2%