Crispy Chicken Caprese Sandwich (Printable)

Golden breaded chicken paired with fresh basil, mozzarella, and tomato on perfectly toasted ciabatta with a savory crunch.

# What You Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/3 cup olive oil for frying

→ For the Sandwich

11 - 4 ciabatta rolls, halved
12 - 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
13 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced
14 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves
15 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
16 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
17 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets of uniform thickness.
03 - Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko mixed with Parmesan, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly in the panko-Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken cutlets for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a baking sheet.
06 - Top each cutlet with mozzarella slices and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Toast ciabatta rolls until golden and crisp on the cut sides.
08 - On each roll bottom, arrange basil leaves and tomato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
09 - Place a crispy chicken cutlet with melted mozzarella on top of the tomato and basil layer.
10 - Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze. Cap with the top half of the ciabatta roll and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The golden panko crust stays impossibly crunchy even under melted mozzarella
  • Every layer brings something different from the warm chicken to cool bright tomatoes
02 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before starting or the breading slides right off in the pan
  • Let the fried cutlets rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels so the underside stays crispy
03 -
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after slicing so the cutlets relax and cook more evenly
  • Warm your balsamic glaze slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds so it drizzles beautifully
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