It's June aka Pride month! When I was grocery shopping the other day I saw these super fun rainbow bagels, and immediately grabbed them. I love sandwiches served on bagels ever since my college days of eating at Bagel Street Deli (OU friends - you know). But obviously the rainbow bagel felt very appropriate for this month.
This bagel sandy is simple yet delicious. I use grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, alfalfa sprouts and homemade pesto.
How to grill the chicken:
I only season this chicken with salt and pepper. Easy. Grill over high heat for about 8-10 minutes per side but check for desired finish. I like my chicken juicy on the inside but with a little grill char on the outside. Internal temp should be 165. No thermometer? No problem. Pull a breast off, slice in half and check for pinkness. Pink? Toss back on. No pink? You're done!
No grill? No problem!
You can also prepare chicken in a skillet, cast iron, grill grate or in the oven. Or on a George Foreman! My favorite method sans grill, though, is to sear in some olive oil in a skillet for about 3 minutes per side then add to baking dish and bake about 10 minutes at 400 to finish it off.
What are alfalfa sprouts?
These tasty photogenic guys are immature shoots of the alfalfa plant. They make great toppings for sandwiches, salads or tossed into stir-fry's. They also contain a ton of vitamins and are very low cal.
How do you make homemade pesto?
It's one of the easiest things I make, and a sauce I make very frequently. My main pesto recipe is a mix of basil, spinach, Parmesan, walnuts (or pine nuts), garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. You literally throw everything into a food processor (or blender or bullet) and pulse until mixed. That's it. Can't get much easier! It's the perfect summer sauce. So fresh and herby. (I know that's not a word, but I'm making it one.)
Also shout out of my husband for being a great hand model for me in this shoot. He did good, right?! Try this filling, yet (somehwat) healthy sandwich out. And bonus points if you find rainbow bagels!!
You might also enjoy:
- 2-4 boneless chicken breasts
- fresh mozzarella
- sliced roasted red pepper (jar)
- alfalfa sprouts
- pesto (1 cup fresh basil, 2 cups fresh spinach, ⅔ cup fresh Parmesan, 4-5 garlic cloves, ¼ cup chopped walnuts, ⅔ cups olive oil, salt and pepper)
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
- Mix basil, spinach, Parm, garlic, walnuts in food processor. Add olive oil and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat grill and brush grates with olive oil.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Grill 9-10 minutes per side or until internal temperature is 165 degrees/no longer pink.
- Add slices of mozzarella over chicken and remove once melted.
- Toast bagel in toaster, toaster oven or in the oven until desired crispness.
- Spread pesto on one side of bagel.
- Add chicken to other side and top with red pepper and sprouts.
- Combine top with bottom, slice in half and serve!
[…] not only perfect for homemade gnocchi, but so many other dishes as well. Some of my favorites are: Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich, Pesto Pizza with Fresh Tomatoes, Pesto Tortellini with Sun Dried […]