Crispy Chicken Caprese Sandwich (Print Version)

Golden breaded chicken with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato on crispy ciabatta for classic Italian flavors.

# What You'll 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 Make It:

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

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between the crunch of the coating and the creamy mozzarella is honestly addictive, and it comes together faster than you'd think.
  • You get all the brightness of a Caprese salad wrapped up with crispy fried chicken, which somehow makes the whole thing feel celebratory.
  • It's the kind of sandwich that makes people ask for seconds before they've finished their first bite.
02 -
  • Don't skip the pounding step or you'll end up with uneven cooking, dried out edges, and undercooked centers that ruin the whole texture profile.
  • The chicken needs to cool just slightly after frying before you add the mozzarella, or the heat will make the cheese separate and weep oil instead of melting into a creamy layer.
  • Tomato quality is non-negotiable here because there's nowhere to hide a mealy or watery one in a sandwich this simple.
03 -
  • Rub the warm toasted ciabatta with a cut garlic clove for an extra layer of flavor that costs nothing and transforms the whole thing.
  • Keep the mozzarella cold until the last moment so it melts evenly into that creamy layer instead of separating into greasy pools.
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