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 Sandwich

chicken sandwich with basil tomato and mozzarella with balsamic drizzle.

Print Recipe

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5 from 1 review

A quick but flavorful sandwich with pan-seared seasoned chicken breast and fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato and pesto.

Author: Kate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 sandwich 1x
Category: entree, Main course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian inspired

Ingredients

Scale

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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Instructions

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet set over medium heat. While pan is heating up, generously sprinkle both sides of the thin-cut chicken breast(s) with salt and pepper.
When the oil is hot, add the chicken. Cook for 2 - 4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is nicely browned and cooked through (to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F).
While the chicken is cooking, slice the tomato, and the cheese and bread (if not already pre-sliced). Rinse the basil and remove the stems.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet onto a plate, but do not turn the burner off. If the skillet is dry, add a few more drops of oil. Add the bread and let cook over medium heat for 1 - 2 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown.
Assemble the sandwich: Spread pesto on both slices of bread. Add the chicken on top of the bottom bread, followed by the mozzarella cheese, then tomato. Sprinkle the tomato with salt and black pepper. Add the basil leaves. Drizzle on some balsamic glaze, if using. Top the sandwich with the second slice of bread. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can make this sandwich with either 1 or 2 pieces of thin-cut chicken breast, depending on the size of the pieces and what would fit best on the bread you have chosen (or how hungry you are!).
The ingredient amounts for the sandwich are flexible and can be adjusted to suit your own tastes; feel free to add more or less tomato, mozzarella, pesto, etc.
To make more than one sandwich, use a larger skillet to cook multiple pieces of chicken at a time (or work in batches). To toast multiple pieces of bread at once, brush some olive oil on each side of the bread and toast in a toaster oven, or broil for a minute or two on each side until the bread is nicely browned.

The nutrition information below is an estimate only; the nutrition counts of your dish will vary based on the brands and exact amounts of ingredients used. This information was provided by an online nutrition calculator, and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, health, or nutritional advice. See our full nutrition disclosure policy.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 516
Sugar: 3.4 g
Sodium: 743 mg
Fat: 24.6 g
Saturated Fat: 9.9 g
Carbohydrates: 26.1 g
Fiber: 1.6 g
Protein: 39.1 g
Cholesterol: 123 mg

Find it online: https://nibbleanddine.com/chicken-caprese-sandwich/