Crispy Chicken Caprese Sandwich (Print Version)

Golden breaded chicken with fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and ripe tomato on toasted ciabatta. Ready in 45 minutes. Serves 4.

# 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 Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
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, shake off excess, dip in beaten 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 completely melted.
07 - Toast ciabatta rolls until crisp and golden on both cut sides.
08 - On each roll bottom, arrange fresh basil leaves and tomato slices. Season with salt and black pepper.
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 ciabatta and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crunchy panko crust stays perfectly crisp even under melted mozzarella
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes for a weeknight dinner that feels fancy
02 -
  • Let the coated chicken rest for 5 minutes before frying to help the breading adhere better
  • Don't crowd the pan or the chicken will steam instead of getting crispy
03 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before breading for better adhesion
  • Use a splatter guard when frying to keep your stove clean
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