Recipe: Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Author: Erica P. Cerquetti, Hamama Friends Group

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Makes: 4-6 servings

The best chicken salad starts with fresh homemade pesto! Of course you can use store- bought, but this simple, homemade one really makes this meal all the more delicious. Adding tender, shredded chicken in with your homemade pesto gives this chicken salad the creamy texture it needs. Assemble on toasted gluten free bread and enjoy this open-faced sandwich with fresh toppings and our spicy Hot Wasabi Mustard microgreens!

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast
• 1 cup chicken bone broth
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• Gluten free bread, any kind you like

For the Basil Arugula Pesto:

• 1 cup arugula
• 1 - 1.25 cups basil
• ½ cup hamama olive oil
• ⅕ - 2 juiced lemons
• ½ cup pine nuts, or pistachios
• ¾ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 2-4 garlic cloves, depending on how much you want
• Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish:

• Hot wasabi mustard microgreens (or your favorite variety)
• Fresh mushrooms
• Tomatoes
• Red onion
• Sauce/dressing
• Avocado

Cooking the chicken breast:

1. To cook the chicken breast, I used my Instant Pot. You can also use other alternatives like a Crockpot or your regular stove top pot (you could also use rotisserie chicken to make this super easy and quick!). 
2. Take your chicken and your bone broth, a little salt and pepper and add to your Instant Pot. Cook for 20 minutes or until the chicken starts to fall apart.
3. When the chicken is cooked, you can shred the chicken in the pot. Set your shredded chicken aside and make your pesto. You can also buy store bought to make this dish quicker.

Basil Arugula Pesto: 

1. Place all of your ingredients except the olive oil in your food processor and start to blend the ingredients together. Slowly pour in the olive oil while blending until the consistency is to your liking.
2. When your pesto is ready, set aside.

Assembling your open sandwich:

1. Take your shredded chicken and your pesto and mix well together making a pesto chicken salad. 
2. Toast your bread and assemble the pesto chicken and other fresh toppings like hot wasabi mustard microgreens, tomatoes, mushrooms, avocado and a delicious sauce if you’d like and enjoy!