Chicken Panini with Pesto and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-08 · Updated 2026-08-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Grilled chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, and basil pesto pressed between ciabatta bread for a warm, savory panini with melty cheese and herbs. This Italian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs chicken breast, ciabatta bread, fresh mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 1 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 large (6 oz), thinly sliced chicken breast
2 slices ciabatta bread
3 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp basil pesto
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Brush 1 large thinly sliced chicken breast with 1 tbsp olive oil, then season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Grill the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove and let rest for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Spread 2 tbsp basil pesto evenly on one side of each of the 2 ciabatta bread slices.
Step 4: Layer the grilled chicken breast and 3 oz sliced fresh mozzarella on one slice of the bread, then top with the other slice, pesto side down.
Step 5: Heat a panini press or skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwich on the press or skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and the mozzarella is melted.