Description
Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich whisks Mediterranean flavors into an irresistible lunch experience. Fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil combine with perfectly seasoned grilled chicken to create a classic Italian-inspired masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1½ pounds or 680 grams total)
Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sandwich Components:
- 4 ciabatta rolls
- 0.25 cup (4 tablespoons) pesto, homemade or store-bought
- 1 ball (8 ounces or 226 grams) mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 2 beefsteak tomatoes (8 ounces or 226 grams each), sliced
- 20–24 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze, optional
Instructions
- Transform chicken breasts into thin, uniform filets by slicing each breast lengthwise and gently pounding between parchment paper until reaching a consistent 0.25-inch (6.35 millimeters) thickness.
- Create a robust marinade by whisking high-quality extra virgin olive oil with aromatic Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a shallow container.
- Thoroughly coat each chicken filet in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage, then refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 8 hours for enhanced flavor absorption.
- Prepare outdoor grill or grill pan by heating to medium-high temperature (375-400 degrees Fahrenheit or 190-204 degrees Celsius) and lightly brushing grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill chicken filets for approximately 3 minutes per side, achieving golden-brown exterior with distinctive grill marks and internal temperature reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Allow grilled chicken to rest for 5 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and maintaining moisture.
- Toast ciabatta rolls by placing cut-side down on grill for 1-2 minutes until edges become crisp and develop light char.
- Construct sandwich by spreading generous layer of vibrant basil pesto on bottom roll, then layer fresh mozzarella slices, ripe tomato rounds, grilled chicken, delicate basil leaves, and drizzle with rich balsamic glaze.
- Crown sandwich with top roll and serve immediately to preserve optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Simplify your prep by slicing chicken breasts horizontally for faster, even cooking.
- Marinating chicken adds incredible depth of flavor and keeps meat tender during grilling.
- Grill marks aren’t just beautiful – they seal in juices and create delicious caramelized edges.
- Fresh basil and balsamic glaze transform an ordinary sandwich into a restaurant-quality meal.
- Toasting ciabatta rolls adds crunch and prevents soggy bread from pesto and tomato moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg