Crispy Chicken Caprese Sandwich (Printable Version)

Breaded chicken cutlets with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato on crispy ciabatta rolls. Italian-inspired comfort in every bite.

# 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 even 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 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a baking sheet.
06 - Top each cutlet with mozzarella slices and bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 - Toast ciabatta rolls until golden and crisp on both 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 Tips:

01 -
  • The crunch of that pankoParmesan crust against fresh mozzarella is something you will crave on bad days
  • It transforms ordinary chicken into something that feels like a restaurant treat but comes together in under an hour
02 -
  • Do not skip the baking step after frying it is what transforms the mozzarella into that gorgeous melted blanket
  • Patting tomatoes dry with paper towels prevents your sandwich from becoming a soggy disappointment
03 -
  • Rubbing toasted ciabatta with a cut garlic clove adds an invisible layer of flavor that makes people wonder what makes your version special
  • The difference between good and great balsamic glaze matters, so grab the bottle from the specialty aisle
Go Back