Cast Iron Chicken Pesto and Mozzarella Panini

• Meat

  • 2 Chicken breasts

• Produce

  • 4 Basil, fresh
  • 4 slices Tomato, fresh

• Condiments

  • 2 tbsp Pesto sauce

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 4 tsp Olive oil

• Bread & Baked Goods

  • 4 slices Panini bread, white

• Dairy

  • 4 slices Mozzarella cheese, fresh

Found on kitchenswagger.com

Ingredients

• 2 thinly sliced chicken breasts, flattened to ¼ inch thick
• 4 slices white panini bread
• 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
• 4 slices fresh tomato
• 2-3 tablespoons pesto sauce
• 4 teaspoons olive oil, for bread
• 4-5 fresh basil leaves (optional)

Directions

• Thinly slice the tomato and fresh mozzarella into ¼ inch thick slices. Set aside.
• Flatten each chicken breast using a rolling pin to ¼ inch thick slices. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Heat cast iron skillet to medium heat, add a teaspoon of olive oil and fully cook chicken through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside. Take a paper towel and carefully wipe up excess juices (if any).
• Spread 1 teaspoon of olive oil on one side of each slice of panini bread (outer sides facing the skillet). Assemble each panini right on the skillet starting with one slice of bread, pesto sauce, chicken breast, mozzarella slices, tomato slices, and top with the other slice of panini bread.
• Sear for 2-3 minutes per side, periodically pressing down firmly with a spatula on both sides so the panini sticks together and cheese fully melts. The panini is done when the bread is golden brown and crunchy.