Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Name: Chicken Caprese Sandwich
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian inspired
Ingredients: 1 - 2 pieces thin-cut chicken breasts (about 1/3 inch thick); salt and pepper, to taste; 1 teaspoon olive oil, plus more if needed; 2 - 3 slices fresh mozzarella (about 2 ounces); 2 - 3 slices tomato; 3 - 4 fresh basil leaves; 2 slices ciabatta (or other hearty bread); 2 tablespoons pesto (store-bought or homemade); balsamic glaze, to taste (optional)

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This chicken caprese sandwich is easy to make in only about 15 minutes. By using thin-sliced chicken breast, we are making sure the chicken cooks evenly and in less time!

chicken sandwich with tomato mozzarella and basil with basil in background.

Note: this post was originally published in 2020 and updated in 2023 and 2026 with improved instructions and new photos.

Basil, tomato, and fresh mozzarella cheese is a classic combination that will always be refreshing and super satisfying. (If you love this combo too, you also have to try my burrata caprese recipe!)

In addition to the basil, tomato, and mozzarella, this sandwich also has juicy chicken breasts and a generous spread of pesto that adds even more flavor and moisture to the sandwich. And for that extra special ::chef's kiss:: of flavor, I suggest adding in a drizzle of balsamic glaze!

This recipe uses thin-sliced chicken breasts rather than regular chicken breasts. They cook so much more quickly and evenly than regular chicken breasts, and there is no need to pound them thinner. Just add them straight to the pan and they cook in only a few minutes. In a few simple steps, you can make this sandwich in only 15 minutes!

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Recipe ingredients
How to make the sandwich - step by step photos
How to make your own thin-sliced chicken breast
Storage and reheating
Recipe FAQs
Related recipes
📖 Recipe

Recipe ingredients

ingredients for caprese chicken sandwich with text labels.

Ingredient notes

Thin-sliced (aka thin-cut) chicken breast: you will need either 1 or 2 pieces depending on the size of the piece(s); use your best judgement based on your bread size and how hungry you are!

Tomato: since the tomato is one of the primary flavors in this chicken caprese sandwich, try to find a nicely ripe tomato if you can. I also find that larger tomatoes make better slices on the sandwich. Heirloom tomatoes are nice to use here if you can find them.

Balsamic glaze: this is optional but adds a nice tangy and sweet note to the sandwich. You could also try sprinkling regular balsamic vinegar on the bread for a similar effect.

How to make the sandwich - step by step photos

thin-sliced chicken breasts on parchment paper with salt and pepper shakers on the side.

Step 1

Season the chicken generously on both sides with salt and pepper.

Step 2

Add it to the oiled pan and cook on both sides until done (about 2 - 4 min per side, depending on thickness).

sliced tomato and basil leaves on cutting board with dish of fresh mozzarella cheese slices on the side.

Step 3

While the chicken is cooking, slice the tomato, and pick some basil leaves. Slice the cheese if you didn't buy pre-sliced.

two pieces of ciabatta bread browned in skillet.

Step 4

Remove the chicken to a plate. In the same pan, cook the bread on each side until toasted (add more oil to the pan if needed).

sandwich with chicken breast tomato fresh mozzarella and basil on a plate.

Step 5

Spread both slices of bread with pesto. Layer on the chicken, mozzarella, tomato, and basil. Add balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar if desired. Top with the second slice of bread. Enjoy!

How to make your own thin-sliced chicken breast

I like thin-sliced (aka thin-cut) chicken breast for this caprese chicken sandwich, because it cooks in only a few minutes, and makes a much better ratio with the other ingredients in the sandwich - there are roughly even proportions of chicken, mozzarella and tomato.

Buying from the store is of course the easiest option! But if you only have regular chicken breast, you can cut them yourself:

chicken breast being held in hand with knife beginning to slice it horizontally.

Step 1: Lay the chicken breast on a cutting board. Place a flat hand on top. With a large knife in the other hand, cut a thin horizontal slice towards the top of the breast, about ½ inch thick. *Be sure to keep your other hand flat and out of the way of the blade!!*

chicken breast being sliced horizontally.

Step 2: Once you've made the first cut, you can peel the slice back as you continue to cut. This makes it easier to see where you are cutting. Go for long strokes, rather than sawing back and forth.

horizontal slice being cut from chicken breast with large knife.

Step 3: Repeat the process, cutting another horizontal slice from the chicken breast (size permitting; see step 4).

three pieces of thin sliced chicken breast with a knife on the side.

Step 4: For large/thick chicken breasts, I can cut 3 pieces. If your chicken breast is small, make one horizontal cut in the middle to get two pieces.

Thin-sliced pieces from the store are usually around ⅓ of an inch thick, which can be difficult to cut by hand. If your chicken pieces are a little thicker, that's ok, just cook them for a little longer.

*Cutting the chicken breast this way can be a little tricky, so please be careful to keep your other hand out of the way of the knife. If you're not comfortable with your knife skills, you can place a piece of plastic wrap on top of the chicken breast, and pound it thinner with a rolling pin, meat mallet, or wine bottle instead.

Make the sandwich your own!

The ingredient amounts in the recipe aren't set in stone. If you want to add more mozzarella cheese, tomato, or pesto (or all three), go for it! You could even make a double-decker chicken caprese sandwich with two layers of chicken, tomato, mozzarella, and basil.

Storage and reheating

The sandwich will taste the best when made and eaten fresh. But, if you have any leftovers you want to save, you can wrap it up tight in aluminum foil or sandwich wrap, and keep it in the fridge for 1 - 2 days.

To reheat, first remove the tomato and basil. Then wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil. Heat it in a 350 degree F oven for around 10 - 15 minutes, until warmed through. (You can then add the tomato and basil back in, or add in fresh.)

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this chicken caprese sandwich ahead of time?

You can cook the chicken ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge for 3 - 4 days. Then, you can either assemble the sandwich with cold chicken, or re-heat the chicken first.

To re-heat, I like to add a bit of oil to a skillet set on low heat, then add the chicken and cover it with a lid. The cover helps the chicken from drying out! Remove the chicken once it's hot, flipping once during the re-heating process (but don't cook too long or it may dry out).

Can I make more than one sandwich at a time?

Yes you can! You can use a larger pan and cook multiple pieces of chicken at once, or work in batches. If you want to toast the bread all at once, just brush a thin layer of oil on both sides of each piece, then toast in a toaster oven or broil each side until nicely browned.

How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?

Since this caprese chicken sandwich uses thin-cut chicken breast, it will cook quite quickly in the pan. But of course, the exact cook time will depend on how thick the chicken is, your own stove top, and even the type of pan you are using. Therefore, you can adjust the cook time up or down as needed.

You can know for sure the chicken is done by using an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F at the thickest part.

chicken caprese sandwiches in a metal tray with basil and tomatoes on the side.

If you've tried this chicken caprese sandwich recipe, please leave a star rating and/or review in the comments section below, I would love to hear from you! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. And sign up for my weekly newsletter to get recipes delivered straight to you!