Description
Mozzarella pesto chicken sliders deliver a delightful Mediterranean-inspired mini sandwich experience. Crisp bread, melted cheese, and herb-infused chicken create a perfect bite-sized meal for casual gatherings and quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 12 soft slider buns or dinner rolls
Flavor Enhancers and Sauces:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing buns)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
- Tomato slices (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with aromatic garlic powder, salt, and black pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature, carefully cooking chicken until completely done, approximately 6-7 minutes on each side.
- Slice the cooked chicken into precise portions suitable for slider assembly.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a baking sheet for slider construction.
- Arrange slider bottom buns evenly across the baking sheet as a foundational layer.
- Layer each bottom bun with freshly sliced chicken pieces.
- Spread a generous dollop of vibrant pesto sauce over the chicken.
- Top pesto with melted mozzarella cheese, creating a creamy texture.
- Crown each slider with corresponding top buns.
- Gently brush slider tops with melted butter for golden, crispy exterior.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese across the buttered surface for additional flavor complexity.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until cheese becomes perfectly melted and buns transform to a delicate golden hue.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and delicate tomato slices for visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while warm, allowing guests to enjoy the harmonious blend of flavors.
Notes
- Customize chicken thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dryness by pounding breasts to uniform 1/2-inch thickness before seasoning.
- Swap regular chicken for grilled or rotisserie chicken to reduce active cooking time and add different flavor profiles.
- Use gluten-free slider buns or lettuce wraps to make recipe suitable for low-carb or gluten-sensitive diets.
- Choose fresh mozzarella for creamier texture and richer taste compared to pre-shredded packaged cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 352 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg