Heart-Healthy Chicken Pesto Sandwich
Elevate your lunch game with the **Heart-Healthy Chicken Pesto Sandwich**, a flavorful yet nourishing twist on the classic sandwich. This recipe features tender, grilled chicken breast paired with a creamy, homemade avocado pesto made from ripe avocado, fresh basil, pine nuts, and a hint of lemon for a zesty punch. Layered on wholesome whole grain bread with juicy tomato slices and crisp baby spinach leaves, it's a guilt-free meal that's as satisfying as it is nutritious. Perfect for busy weekdays or leisurely weekends, this quick 30-minute recipe combines heart-healthy ingredients with fresh, vibrant flavors, making it an ideal choice for those who want to eat well without compromising on taste.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 slices whole grain bread
- 1 piece (approximately 8 oz) boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 small tomato
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
Instructions
Start by preparing the avocado pesto. Halve and pit the avocado, then scoop the flesh into a food processor.
Add the fresh basil leaves, lemon juice, garlic clove, extra-virgin olive oil, pine nuts, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
Season the chicken breast with a pinch of salt and black pepper on both sides.
Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is fully cooked.
While the chicken is cooking, slice the tomato into thin rounds.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it thinly.
To assemble the sandwich, spread a generous amount of avocado pesto on two slices of whole grain bread.
Layer sliced chicken, tomato slices, and baby spinach leaves on top of the pesto.
Close the sandwiches with the remaining slices of bread.
Optionally, you can grill the finished sandwiches lightly on both sides to warm the bread and slightly melt the pesto.
Serve immediately and enjoy your heart-healthy chicken pesto sandwich.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1309 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 73.5 g | 94% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.9 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 172 mg | 57% | |
| Sodium | 2106 mg | 92% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 80.4 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.9 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.8 g | ||
| Protein | 87.0 g | 174% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 245 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 8.5 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 1994 mg | 42% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
