Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and juicy chicken equals summer on a bun.

By
Hannah Zimmerman
Hannah Zimmerman
Hannah Zimmerman

Hannah Zimmerman is a self-taught home cook and lover of all things food. She founded Bite Sized Studio in 2018, a creative agency specializing in food photography and recipe development. Her work has been featured in publications including Forbes, Eater, and Simply Recipes.

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Published June 26, 2023
Hannah Zimmerman
Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich on a Parchment Lined Tray

Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

When summer comes along, you will find me blasting the AC and avoiding the stove and oven at all costs. I turn to recipes that come together easily on the grill and utilize fresh seasonal ingredients, and this sandwich does just that. 

During the summer, tomatoes are at their ripest and juiciest and basil is at its freshest, so it is the perfect time to pull out the Caprese trifecta of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil!

This grilled chicken Caprese sandwich makes for an easy weeknight dinner or a delicious weekend lunch. You can also double or triple the recipe and make it for a summery outdoor dinner party. Since a Caprese sandwich is filling, you can serve it on its own, but it also goes well with a simple side salad and a glass of white wine.

Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a Parchment Lined Tray, and on the Counter Next to the Tray, Plates With Individual Ingredients

Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

How to Make Juicy Grilled Chicken

Grilling chicken can be tricky. Chicken breasts are very lean, so it is easy to make them dry and tough. Here are some tricks and tips for getting the juiciest, most flavorful grilled chicken breast for your sandwich:

  • Pound the chicken to an even thickness so that it will cook through as evenly as possible.
  • The longer you marinate your chicken, the better! I recommend prepping and marinating your chicken the day before you grill it and letting it sit overnight.
  • Remember to preheat your grill for at least 15 minutes before you start cooking.
  • When your chicken is done cooking, let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

No Grill? No Problem!

If you don’t have a grill, you can make this sandwich using a grill pan. Preheat the pan on the stove over medium-high heat, then grill the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side.

Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a Parchment Lined Tray With One Sandwich Cut in Half, and on the Counter Next to the Tray, Plates With Individual Ingredients and a White Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

Tips and Variations

High-quality, fresh bread is crucial for a perfect Caprese sandwich. I prefer ciabatta rolls, but you could also use focaccia, sourdough, or a baguette. Whatever bread you use, I highly recommend you lightly toast it.

I typically use beefsteak tomatoes in this sandwich since they are widely available year-round, but you can elevate this sandwich by using heirloom tomatoes when they are in season. They add a delicious touch of sweetness.

You can easily transform the taste of this sandwich by changing the pesto you use. My favorite pesto variations are mint pesto and kale pesto. Add texture and peppery flavor to this sandwich with the addition of fresh arugula.

Summery Sandwiches

Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 6 mins
Marinate Time: 30 mins
Total Time 51 mins
Servings 4 servings
Yield 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total)

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

  • 4 ciabatta rolls

  • 1/4 cup pesto, store-bought or homemade

  • 1 (8-ounce) ball of mozzarella, sliced

  • 2 (8-ounce) beefsteak tomatoes, sliced

  • 20 to 24 leaf basil leaves

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze, optional

Method

  1. Prep the chicken:

    Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, creating 4 thin filets. Sandwich a piece between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to beat it to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Repeat with the remaining 3 filets.

    Thinly Sliced Chicken Breast on a Marble Slab Next to a Plate With More Thinly Sliced Chicken Breast, a White Kitchen Towel, and a Rolling Pin

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
  2. Marinate the chicken:

    In a shallow dish, whisk together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken in the dish and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

    Bowl of Marinade for Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
    Sliced Chicken Marinating in a Bowl Next to a White Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
  3. Grill the chicken and toast the buns:

    Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. 

    Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook on one side for 3 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for 3 minutes. Try not to move the chicken while it cooks except for flipping once. The chicken should be cooked through, golden with grill marks, and the internal temperature should be 165°F. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes.

    While the chicken is grilling, you can also toast the rolls by placing them cut-side down on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes.

    Plate With Grilled Thinly Sliced Chicken for Chicken Caprese Sandwich

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
  4. Assemble the sandwich:

    Spread a generous layer of pesto on the bottom half of each ciabatta roll (about a tablespoon per roll). Add a layer of mozzarella slices, then a layer of tomato slices. Place a piece of grilled chicken on each sandwich. Finish off the sandwich with 5 to 6 fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired. Place the other half of the roll on top.

    This sandwich is best if you eat it fresh off the grill. Store any leftover chicken and in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store the tomatoes and mozzarella in a separate container.

    To reheat the chicken, place it in the oven at 400°F for 10 minutes, then assemble your sandwich.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich Assembled on a Parchment Lined Tray (Another Assembled Sandwich Next to a Slice of Ciabatta With Pesto, Mozzarella, and Sliced Tomatoes), and on the Counter Next to the Tray, a Plates With More Ingredients

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
    Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a Parchment Lined Tray, and on the Counter Next to the Tray, Plates With Individual Ingredients, a Bowl With More Pesto, a Plate With Another Sandwich, ad a White Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
688 Calories
30g Fat
49g Carbs
53g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 688
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 30g 39%
Saturated Fat 10g 49%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 1152mg 50%
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 53g
Vitamin C 16mg 81%
Calcium 447mg 34%
Iron 5mg 29%
Potassium 789mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.