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A ciabatta sandwich filled with a creamy chicken salad, fresh arugula, and diced vegetables, served on a cooling rack.

Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe

Melissa Jo

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients: For the Chicken Salad:
  • 1 rotisserie chicken chopped
  • 3 celery stalks finely chopped
  • 2 large carrots finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup of chopped red onion or green onions
  • 1/3 cup of julienned sun-dried tomatoes squeezed dry
  • 1 cup of mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup of sour cream
  • Heaping teaspoon of Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 1/2 cup of pesto Costco Kirkland brand recommended
  • 3/4 cup of dried cranberries
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

For the Sandwiches:

  • Costco artisan rolls (or any preferred bread of choice)
  • 1 teaspoon of the juice from the sun-dried tomato jar for each roll
  • Cracked black pepper for sprinkling
  • Fresh arugula leaves
  • Roasted red peppers (store-bought or homemade)

Directions:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped rotisserie chicken, finely chopped celery, carrots, and your choice of red or green onions.
  • Add the julienned sun-dried tomatoes to the bowl, ensuring they are squeezed dry to prevent excess moisture.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, honey, and pesto until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
  • Pour the pesto dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
  • Add the dried cranberries to the salad, providing a hint of sweetness and contrasting texture.
  • Season the salad with salt and pepper to your taste preference. Mix well to incorporate all the flavors.
  • For the sandwiches, start by slicing the Costco artisan rolls in half. Drizzle a teaspoon of the sun-dried tomato juice on the bottom of each roll and sprinkle some cracked black pepper.
  • Preheat your oven broiler, and briefly toast the rolls to achieve a slightly crisp texture.
  • Layer the bottom roll with fresh arugula leaves and roasted red peppers, adding a heaping scoop of the prepared chicken salad on top.
  • Garnish the sandwich with green onions for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Top the sandwich with the remaining roll, press gently, and your Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwich is ready to enjoy!

Notes

  • To save time, you can use pre-shredded rotisserie chicken from the store or leftover chicken from a previous meal.

  • For a healthier version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and reduce the mayonnaise quantity.

  • Customize your sandwich by adding avocado slices, bacon, or your favorite cheese.

  • Ensure the sun-dried tomatoes are adequately drained to avoid excess moisture in the chicken salad.

  • Prepare the chicken salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days, making meal prep a breeze.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!