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zupas pesto chicken sandwich recipe
Donny Enriquez

Copycat Zupas Pesto Chicken Sandwich

A creamy pesto chicken salad loaded with roasted red peppers and almonds, piled onto toasted ciabatta with melted Muenster cheese, tomato, and microgreens — a faithful recreation of Cafe Zupas' popular Pesto Chicken sandwich.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Dish, Sandwich
Cuisine: Italian-American, Mediterranean-Inspired
Calories: 660
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons prepared basil pesto
  • 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
  • 1/3 cup chopped almonds
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 ciabatta rolls split
  • 4 slices Muenster cheese
  • 8 slices tomato
  • 1 cup microgreens

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Oven broiler
  • Sharp knife (for slicing rolls and tomato)

Method
 

  1. Combine the chicken, mayonnaise, pesto, roasted red peppers, almonds, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, stirring until evenly coated.
  2. Slice the ciabatta rolls and place the bottom halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Top each with a slice of Muenster cheese.
  3. Broil 3–4 inches from the heat for 1–2 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and just beginning to bubble.
  4. Top the melted cheese with the pesto chicken salad, tomato slices, and microgreens.
  5. Replace the top halves of the rolls, slice diagonally, and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Storage: Keep the pesto chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; assemble sandwiches fresh rather than storing them fully made, since the bread softens quickly once filled.
Freezing isn't recommended for this sandwich — the mayo-based chicken salad and fresh vegetables don't hold up well after thawing.
For a lighter version, swap half the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. For extra flavor, mix in chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or capers, or swap the chicken for canned tuna or turkey breast.