Copycat Cafe Zupas Chicken Pesto Sandwich

I love a good sandwich, from a loaded Italian sub to gooey grilled cheese to creamy tuna salad and everything in between. Anytime I’m out to lunch, you can bet that I’m going to peruse the sandwich section first. And the only thing I love more than a good sandwich is a good copycat recipe. This copycat Cafe Zupas chicken pesto sandwich ticks both boxes.

If you’re unfamiliar with this growing chain of fast-casual restaurants, Cafe Zupas first opened in Utah in 2004 and currently has restaurants in eight other states (Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin). The chain is known for its fresh, honest, feel-good food, including scratch-made soups, house-made dressings and complimentary Belgian chocolate-dipped strawberries included with every meal.

The restaurant’s chicken pesto sandwich is one of the chain’s all-time best sellers: toasty Italian ciabatta bread, melted Muenster cheese, creamy pesto chicken salad made with roasted red peppers and almonds, and finishing flourishes of tomatoes and microgreens. This regional copycat recipe is perfect for fans of Cafe Zupas, but it’s also just a great sandwich recipe for anyone who loves chicken salad, pesto and a hearty meal.

Ingredients for Copycat Cafe Zupas Chicken Pesto Sandwich

• Cooked chicken breast: This is a terrific recipe for any leftover grilled chicken breasts, shredded crockpot chicken or rotisserie chicken you need to use up.
• Roasted sweet red peppers: Jarred roasted red peppers pair well with the pesto, adding a lovely zesty flavor to every bite.
• Mayonnaise: Not all mayonnaises are created equal. Choose a high-quality brand of mayo to make the best-tasting chicken salad with pesto sauce for this sandwich.
• Almonds: A handful or two of chopped almonds offers a lovely contrasting crunch to the creamy chicken salad.
• Pesto: Use your favorite store-bought pesto or make homemade pesto for maximum freshness.
• Seasoning: Nothing fancy needed, a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper will perfectly season the pesto chicken salad.
• Ciabatta rolls: If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make ciabatta bread from scratch, or head to your local bakery to snag a few freshly baked ciabatta rolls.
• Muenster cheese: Muenster is one of our favorite melting cheeses. It is mild-tasting and wonderfully creamy, and it melts like a dream.
• Toppings: A few slices of ripe fresh tomato and a small handful of microgreens add layers of color, freshness and texture to this Artisan-style cafe sandwich.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the chicken salad

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, red peppers, mayonnaise, almonds, pesto, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Step 2: Melt the cheese

Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the roll bottoms on a baking sheet and top each with a slice of Muenster cheese. Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat until the cheese melts, one to two minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t walk away. Keep a close eye on the ciabatta and cheese to prevent them from burning.

Step 3: Assemble and serve

Top the melted cheese with the chicken salad, tomato slices and microgreens, then replace the roll tops.

Copycat Cafe Zupas Chicken Pesto Sandwich Variations

• Try more mix-ins and toppings: Try adding sliced olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, marinated artichoke hearts, pine nuts and grated Parmesan to this recipe.
• Change up the protein: No chicken on hand? Try using equal amounts of canned tuna or leftover turkey breast.
• Choose different bread: Try this recipe on a toasted baguette, hearty Kaiser roll, sliced sourdough bread or a healthy multigrain bread of your choice.
• Swap in another pesto: Experiment with other pesto flavors, such as sun-dried tomato pesto or nut-free pesto.

How to Store Copycat Cafe Zupas Chicken Pesto Sandwich

For the best taste, we suggest storing the components of a copycat Cafe Zupas chicken pesto sandwich in airtight food storage containers and assembling it just before enjoying. The pesto chicken salad will last three to four days in the refrigerator. Composed sandwiches will keep for up to a day, but they may get soggy after that.

Copycat Cafe Zupas Chicken Pesto Sandwich Tips

How else can you serve pesto chicken salad?

This chicken salad with pesto sauce isn’t just for sandwiches; you can enjoy it rolled up in a burrito-sized tortilla for a restaurant-style wrap. For a low-carb option, wrap the pesto chicken salad in collard greens or big lettuce leaves, or serve it on a bed of greens with your choice of toppings.

What can you serve with a copycat Cafe Zupas chicken pesto sandwich?

Make it a Cafe Zupas Try-Two Combo and pair this copycat chicken pesto sandwich with a cup of tomato basil soup, homestyle chicken noodle or lobster bisque. You could also pair it with a classic Caesar or a fruity strawberry poppy seed salad.