Crispy Chicken Caprese Sandwich (Print Version)

Golden chicken cutlets with melted mozzarella and fresh basil on toasted ciabatta.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Chicken

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

→ For the Sandwich

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

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets of even thickness.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: first with flour, second with beaten eggs, third with panko mixed with Parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg wash, then press firmly into panko-Parmesan mixture to coat completely on all sides.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a baking sheet.
06 - Top each cutlet with mozzarella slices. Bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
07 - While chicken bakes, toast ciabatta rolls until crisp and golden.
08 - Layer fresh basil leaves and tomato slices on the bottom half of each roll. Season with salt and pepper.
09 - Place a crispy chicken cutlet with melted mozzarella on top. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze. Cover with top bun and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The golden, Parmesan-crusted chicken stays incredibly crispy even after the cheese melts on top
  • Every bite balances warm, savory flavors with the bright freshness of basil and tomato
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something from a serious Italian deli
02 -
  • Letting the breaded chicken rest for a few minutes before frying helps the coating adhere better and prevents it from sliding off during cooking
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when frying, as this drops the oil temperature and makes the chicken soggy instead of crispy
03 -
  • Pat your chicken cutlets completely dry before breading for the crispiest, most adherent crust
  • Warming your balsamic glaze slightly makes it drizzle more evenly over the finished sandwich
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