Description
A quick and easy grilled cheese sandwich combining crispy buffalo chicken, fresh basil pesto, and melty mozzarella cheese on thick-cut bread for a flavorful snack or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Cooked chicken breast or thighs, shredded (preferably thighs for juiciness)
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for chicken)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
- 1–2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Thick-cut bread slices (sourdough or ciabatta recommended)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Butter, softened (for spreading on bread)
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss the shredded cooked chicken with 1/4 cup buffalo sauce and 1 tablespoon melted butter until well coated. Set aside.
- In a food processor, combine basil, toasted nuts, garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Pulse while slowly drizzling in olive oil until smooth and spreadable. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side, spread about 1 tablespoon pesto evenly.
- Layer buffalo chicken generously over the pesto, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top.
- Close the sandwich with the other bread slice, buttered side facing out.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the sandwich for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Remove from heat, let sit for a minute to avoid hot cheese, then slice and serve.
Notes
If sandwich browns too fast before cheese melts, lower heat and cover pan briefly to trap heat. Use thick-cut bread for best texture. Butter the outside of bread generously for a crispy crust. Buffalo chicken can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 2 days. For dairy-free, substitute cheeses with plant-based alternatives. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 27.5
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 32.5
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32.5
Keywords: buffalo chicken, grilled cheese, pesto, sandwich, quick snack, easy recipe, melty cheese, spicy, herbaceous