Caprese Chicken Sandwich is a delicious way to enjoy the bold, fresh flavors of Italy in a satisfying handheld meal. Featuring tender grilled chicken, creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil pesto.
This caprese chicken sandwich tastes even better with homemade basil pesto sauce recipe or my dairy free basil pesto recipe.
Like pesto sauce? Try my recipe for Tender Pesto Potatoes with Garlic and Parmesan, Caprese Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Pesto Sauce or my Burrata Salad with Grape Tomatoes. Add an Easy Pasta Salad Recipes for the finishing touch!
Visit my recipe box for some more great recipe ideas inspired by Italian tradition!
Jump to:
Here's Why You'll Love this Dish
You'll love this easy to make Caprese Chicken Sandwich because:
- quick and easy to prepare
- packed with fresh, Italian flavors
- great for cold lunch, dinner and meal prep in general
- customizable with your choice of bread or condiments
- ideal for casual gatherings like days at the beach or park
Craving that fresh, vibrant pesto flavor? You can easily make it from scratch at home! Try my classic homemade pesto sauce recipe for a bold and fragrant boost to your meals, or if you're avoiding dairy, my dairy-free vegan pesto sauce recipe is just as rich and satisfying without the cheese. Either one is perfect for pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and more and they only take minutes to whip up.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Is Pesto Sauce made with Basil?
The most common type of pesto sauce is made with fresh basil leaves.
However, pesto is also made with other herbs like parsley, spinach, kale and other green leafy herbs and salad leafy greens.
In fact, pesto is also made with ingredients like sun dried tomatoes or cured olives.
Ingredients
To make this amazing caprese chicken sandwich you'll need: thin sliced chicken breast, salt, homemade pesto sauce preferred or you can use store bought, kaiser rolls, soft cheese mozzarella, beefsteak tomato, salad greens like spring mix salad.
For exact measurement details and directions see recipe card...
How to Make the Best Chicken Caprese Sandwich
Warm up your barbecue on high, if you are going to grill the chicken, otherwise warm up your oven to 350℉.
Pat dry your chicken with paper towel. Season your chicken cutlets (if using whole chicken breast, butterfly them to make them thinner). Coat chicken with pesto sauce.
Place on the barbecue on low heat. Once they no longer stick to the grill flip over to the other side (about 10 minutes on each side).
If baking or frying add oil to your pan and bake/cook until well done. About 20 minutes, flipping half way through.
Remove chicken from heat and set aside. Slice your kaiser buns in half and toast them.
Place salad greens on the bottom half, then add tomato slices.
Sprinkle a little bit of salt on the tomato, then layer fresh mozzarella and cooked chicken. Add a more pesto sauce on chicken and top with other half of bun.
Use a small skewer or toothpick placed in the center of the sandwich to hold it together and serve.
Storage:
This stores well as a make ahead lunch idea. Slice the assembled sandwich in half and wrap it in parchment paper or wax paper and refrigerate.
You can even store the chicken separately, refrigerated in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. Then assemble your sandwiches later. Remember to store your fresh mozzarella in water and change the water every day.
Freezing is not recommended.
Top Tips
Use fresh, high-quality ingredients - the flavors of this sandwich rely heavily on freshness of vine ripened tomatoes, real mozzarella (fior di latte) and good quality pesto.
Toast bread to add texture and prevents sogginess from the tomatoes and pesto.
Rest your chicken before slicing to retain juices and ensure moist flavorful slices
Serve warm to enhance the flavor of the mozzarella and the aroma of the pesto.
Layer smartly by placing cheese between juicy ingredients and the bread to help maintain structure.
Substitutions and Variations
Here's some variations and substitutions to consider:
- Dairy Free Pesto Sauce - if you are dairy intolerant use my recipe for homemade dairy free pesto sauce
- Vegetarian option - remove the chicken for a traditional caprese sandwich
- Spice - add hot peppers to your sandwich for a spicy taste in your mouth feeling
The perfect recipe isn't that far away. I'd love to know how you substituted ingredients to fit your dietary needs. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
The best type of chicken to use for caprese sandwiches is chicken breast thinly cut and grilled.
For the best caprese sandwich use an Italian Kaiser roll, toasted to perfection.
Yes. You can omit the chicken and make a traditional Italian caprese sandwich.
Sides Dishes to Try
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe Details
Caprese Chicken Sandwich with Mozzarella, Tomato and Pesto
https://easyhomemaderecipes.caIngredients
- 24 oz chicken breast sliced thin, skinless, boneless (about 5-6 pieces)
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tsp pesto sauce homemade or store bought
- 8 oz Kaiser Rolls 4 buns
- 8½ oz Soft Cheese Mozzarella thinly sliced (not to be confused with Pizza Mozzarella)
- 4 tbsp pesto sauce for drizzling in sandwich
- 1 large tomato beefsteak tomato preferred
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups spring mix salad or your favorite salad greens
Instructions
- Warm up your barbecue if you are going to grill the chicken, otherwise warm up your oven to 350℉.
- Pat dry your chicken with paper towel. Season your chicken cutlets (if using whole chicken breast, butterfly them to make them thinner). Coat chicken with pesto sauce.24 oz chicken breast, 1 tsp salt, 3 tsp pesto sauce
- Place on the barbecue on low heat. Once they no longer stick to the grill flip over to the other side (about 10 minutes on each side).
- If baking or frying add oil to your pan and bake/cook until well done. About 20 minutes, flipping half way through.
- Remove chicken from heat and set aside. Slice your kaiser buns in half and toast them.8 oz Kaiser Rolls
- Place salad greens on the bottom half, then add tomato slices. Sprinkle a little bit of salt on the tomato, then layer fresh mozzarella and cooked chicken. Add a more pesto sauce on chicken and top with other half of bun.8½ oz Soft Cheese Mozzarella, 4 tbsp pesto sauce, 1 large tomato, salt and pepper, 2 cups spring mix salad
- Use a small skewer or toothpick placed in the center of the sandwich to hold it together and serve.
Notes
Top Tips
Use fresh, high-quality ingredients - the flavors of this sandwich rely heavily on freshness of vine ripened tomatoes, real mozzarella (fior di latte) and good quality pesto. Toast bread to add texture and prevents sogginess from the tomatoes and pesto. Rest your chicken before slicing to retain juices and ensure moist flavorful slices Serve warm to enhance the flavor of the mozzarella and the aroma of the pesto. Layer smartly by placing cheese between juicy ingredients and the bread to help maintain structure.Nutrition
PIN it for later here
Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check the Government of Canada Food Safety Guidelines or see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Comments
No Comments