CHICKEN, ROASTED PEPPER, AND PESTO SANDWICH

Chicken, Roasted Pepper, and Pesto Sandwich image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

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Basil Pesto, recipe follows
8 slices toasted bread
Marinated Chicken Breast, recipe follows
4 jarred roasted peppers, sliced into strips
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese
1 to 2 tablespoons vinegar, like cider, balsamic or red wine
2 to 3 teaspoons dried herbs, like thyme, oregano, rosemary or crumbled bay leaf
1 to 2 tablespoons mustard, whole grain or Dijon
1 to 2 teaspoon garlic or onion powder, optional
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast, each about 6 ounces

Steps:

Spread 1 tablespoon Basil Pesto on 1 side of each slice of bread. Top 4 slices of bread with Marinated Chicken Breast. Top the chicken with the roasted peppers. Place the remaining bread slices, pesto-side down, on top of the peppers.
Combine the basil, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.
Put the vinegar, herbs, mustard, powder if using and oil in a large resealable plastic bag. Close the bag and shake to combine all the ingredients. Open the bag and drop in the chicken breasts. Close and shake the bag to coat evenly. Freeze for up to 2 weeks.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, under cold, running water, or in the microwave at 30 percent power for 1 minute at a time.
Heat a grill or grill pan. When the grill is hot, place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. You can also bake the thawed chicken in a 375 degree F oven for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.