A Sizzling Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich is a tasty treat. It has grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, and tomatoes. A pesto sauce and sweet balsamic cover it. The bread is toasted ciabatta. This recipe is good for summer. It is like a Caprese salad. A cafe in Philadelphia made a version. Starbucks has a kind too.
First, you will make a chicken marinade. Then you will grill the chicken. You must get nice grill marks. After that, you will put all the parts of the sandwich together. Each part will work well together.
How To Make Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich?
It’s a good idea to get your things ready first. You’ll need to prepare the items fast for this sandwich recipe. Once you start making it, it won’t take long to finish.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
8 slices French or sourdough bread
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
8 tomato slices
½ cup fresh basil leaves
Balsamic reduction (store-bought or homemade)
Directions
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and cover with marinade. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- Heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness, until the internal temperature reads 165 F.
- Brush slices of bread with olive oil.
- Grill each piece for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
- To assemble the sandwiches, place one chicken breast half on each slice of bread.
- Top chicken breast with mozzarella cheese, tomato slices and basil leaves.
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction and top with a slice of bread. Serve and enjoy!
See Also : Chicken Fajita Salad Recipe
Is Caprese Sandwich Healthy?
A Caprese sandwich tastes good. It has healthy items like fresh tomatoes, cheese, basil, and olive oil. These give vitamins, minerals, good fats, and protein. But the calories and salt can be high based on the bread, cheese amount, and extras. Pick whole grain bread, use less cheese, and don’t add too much salt to make it healthier. A Caprese sandwich is a nice choice when eaten in small portions as part of a balanced diet.
Enjoy this tasty sandwich in moderation. It has nutrients from its key foods. Watch out for calories and sodium though. Eat it smartly as part of an overall healthy eating plan.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Serving (% Daily Value) |
Total Fat | 18g (28%) |
– Saturated Fat | 5g (25%) |
Cholesterol | 90mg (30%) |
Sodium | 1100mg (48%) |
Total Carbohydrates | 38g (13%) |
– Dietary Fiber | 3g (12%) |
– Sugars | 4g |
Protein | 32g (64%) |
Marinating and Grilling the Chicken to Perfection
Marinating and grilling the chicken is very important. This is how to make your Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich tasty. First, marinate the chicken in a mixture of herbs and spices. Let it soak up all the flavors for some time. Then, grill the marinated chicken on a hot grill. Cook until it is thoroughly done.
Marinating the Chicken
- First, mix olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. That is your marinade.
- Next, put the chicken breasts in the marinade bowl. Let the chicken soak for at least 1 hour. For best taste, you can marinate for up to 12 hours if you have time.
- You can also try other marinades. Italian dressing or balsamic vinaigrette work well too. They add different flavors.
Grilling the Chicken
- Get the grill hot. Turn it up to medium-high heat.
- Prep the chicken. If you like thinner pieces, cut the breasts in half lengthwise. Use a meat mallet to flatten them evenly to 1/4 inch thick before marinating.
- Cook the marinated chicken on the grill. Let it cook for around 3 minutes per side, until the internal temp hits 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest after grilling. Cover it and wait 5-10 minutes. This helps keep the juices inside, making the chicken moist and tender for your sandwich
Follow these steps and your chicken will marinate and grill perfectly. It’ll be ready to layer into your Caprese sandwich.
Step-by-Step Guide to Assembling Your Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich
Step 1
First, take the ciabatta bread rolls. Put them on a hot grill. Keep them there for 1 to 2 minutes. This will make the bread look a little brown. Next, use a brush to put olive oil on both sides of the bread. Then, cut a garlic clove in half. Rub this cut garlic on the bread. This will give the bread a nice garlic taste. After that, put the bread back on the grill to toast it again.
Step 2
Each toasted roll’s bottom part should have a thick layer of pesto spread over it. You can also use pesto mayo as an option if you like a different kind.
Step 3
Put the grilled chicken pieces over the pesto. Next, put the fresh mozzarella cheese slices on top of the chicken. If you use other types like buffalo mozzarella or low-fat mozzarella, layer them on top. Make it simple. Place chicken first. Then put mozzarella cheese slices over it.
Step 4
Put new slices of tomato on top of the cheese. If you want something else, you can use tomatoes with spice. Or use tomato and basil leaves together.
Step 5
When you mix salad items, pour a little balsamic sauce on top. It tastes sweet and sour. You can also add greens like arugula or spinach. They make the salad extra fresh and healthy.
Conclusion
We have learned about making the perfect Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich. Choosing good ingredients is important. We need fresh items to make it great. Marinating and grilling the chicken the right way gives it a tasty, juicy flavor. Picking good bread and cheese matters too. Adding home made pesto and balsamic glaze makes it special. With careful steps, a simple sandwich can become a fancy meal. Preparing it right brings out delicious flavors.
The Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich is a tasty meal. It takes simple foods and combines them well. It shows how a common salad can become a filling sandwich. This sandwich is more than just a recipe. It is an exciting food journey that makes you feel happy. It also inspires you to try new things in the kitchen. Whether you are an expert cook or a beginner, what you learn here opens the door to many food discoveries. It encourages you to experiment and find joy in cooking. Cooking can be creative and very rewarding.
FAQs
Sandwiches with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese taste great when fresh. But you can keep leftovers in the fridge. Wrap the sandwiches in plastic. Or put them in a container with a lid. When stored right, they will stay good for two or three days.
Mozzarella cheese is a good food to eat. It gives you important things like protein, calcium, and vitamins. But you should eat it in small amounts. Too much mozzarella cheese can be bad for you. Some bites are good. Many bites are not good. When you eat mozzarella cheese in small amounts only, then it helps
A Caprese salad and sandwich are meals from Italy. They came from the island of Capri, near Naples. The name “Caprese” means “from Capri”, the island where people first made these foods.