Chicken Pesto Sandwiches

 For some reason lately I have been craving sandwiches, and not your run-of-the-mill slap some mayo, cheese and meat on some bread.  I wanted one that was full of flavor, and that the rest of my family would enjoy.  While checking out the other blogs I follow, I came across this one.  It sounded exactly like what I was craving.   And since it was Sunday morning when I found it, I could run to the store to get a loaf of french bread (because this was a last minute thing so I didn't get any when we went shopping 2 days ago) so I had to make my own bread.  =)

1 loaf french bread

2 T olive oil

2 chicken breasts

freshly cracked salt and pepper

1 1/2 t minced garlic

1 large white onion, chopped

1/3-1/2 C pesto

3/4 C mayo

2 C mozzarella cheese

1 C shredded Parmesan cheese

3-4 slices bacon, cooked and rumbled (optional)

Cut your chicken into 1 inch chunks. Heat up a large skillet and add your 1 T of the oil. When it's nice and hot throw in your garlic, and then your chicken. Season it up with the salt and pepper. Let the chicken and garlic cook until it has a nice golden look to it. Set aside.

In the same hot skillet put the other 1 T of oil in along with your onions. Let them cook until they are nice and soft and golden as well.

Cut your bread in half, long ways.  

Combine the pesto and the mayo and spread it over each half. 

Layer the chicken, onions, and then sprinkle with bacon and the cheese.

Put it into a 400 degree oven and let it bake just until the cheese is all bubbly and the bread is heated through. About 10-15 minutes.

This was really good =)  There are a few changes I would make next time.  I wasn't 100% happy with the bread I made, so I'm not including the recipe for what I used but the blog I got the recipe from had one that looks great (French Bread).  I didn't look at that recipe until after I had already cooked mine or I would have made hers instead. (or if I had planned ahead I would have picked up one of the $0.99 loaves they usually have at Walmart)  Also, I think next time I will saute some mushrooms (my family LOVES mushrooms!) and add them as well.  Overall, I think this was pretty good and I will make it again.  this would be fantastic in the summer with the chicken grilled on the bbq. (that way my house won't get heated up....)