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Panini with Grilled Chicken, Summer Squash & Red Pepper-Cilantro Pesto

5.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5

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Level: Easy

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Description

This pesto is worth trading your first born child for – it’s that good.

Ingredients

  • FOR THE PESTO:
  • 2 whole Roasted Red Pepper, Chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons Slivered Almonds, Toasted
  • 1 clove Garlic, Chopped
  • ⅓ cups Chopped Cilantro
  • 3 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1-½ teaspoon Freshly Squeeze Lime Juice
  • ¼ cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • ¼ teaspoons Kosher Salt
  • ¼ teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • _____
  • FOR SANDWICH ASSEMBLY:
  • 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, Divided
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Divided
  • 1 whole Small Summer Squash
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 2 whole Wheat Ciabatta Rolls
  • 4 ounces, weight Fresh Mozzarella, Thinly Sliced

Preparation

The pesto:
Place roasted red bell peppers in the bowl of a food processor. Add slivered almonds, garlic, cilantro, Parmesan cheese, and lime juice. Pulse until combined. While the food processor is running, slowly pour in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set the pesto aside.

The panini:
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Season chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Grill until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the grill. Let rest 10 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch slices, crosswise. Set aside.

Cut summer squash lengthwise into four 1/2-inch slices. Place in a medium bowl and toss with olive oil, remaining kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place on the grill and cook until tender, but not mushy, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Cut ciabatta rolls in half horizontally. Spread each side of rolls with 1 tablespoons of the pesto (2 tablespoons per roll). Place 4 or 5 slices of grilled chicken on each roll, top each with 2 or 3 slices fresh mozzarella and 1 piece of summer squash, and top with other half of the roll.

Place panini in a preheated panini maker or grill pan. If using a grill pan, use a brick (well washed and cover in foil) to place on top of the sandwiches to achieve the same effect as the panini maker. Cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is starting to melt. Cut in half and serve immediately.

3 Comments

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italianfoodforever on 8.11.2010

Looks great! Definitely my kind of panini!

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cookincanuck on 8.9.2010

Thank you! The grilled summer squash adds a really nice, smoky flavor to this sandwich.

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cmcdon24 on 8.5.2010

This sounds so delicious! I’ll have to make it while my summer squash is still around!

One Review

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chica21b on 8.10.2010

I made this for dinner tonight and OMG what a great sandwich this is! Thank you so much for posting this. Definitely a keeper in our recipe book. I had enough pesto left to make us some pasta maybe. Any helpful hints what to do with leftover pesto? Thanks again!

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