Crispy Chicken Caprese Sandwich (Printer-friendly)

Golden crispy chicken cutlets layered with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato on toasted ciabatta for a satisfying Italian-inspired meal.

# 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 frying

→ 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 Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets.
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.
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.
07 - Toast ciabatta rolls until crisp.
08 - On each roll bottom, arrange basil leaves and tomato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place a crispy chicken cutlet with melted mozzarella on top. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Cap with the top half of the ciabatta.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The triple coating creates the most satisfying crunch that holds up against juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella
  • Everything comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of patting your chicken dry before breading, or the coating won't stick properly
  • Let the breaded chicken rest on a wire rack for a few minutes before frying to help the coating set
03 -
  • Rub the toasted ciabatta with a cut garlic clove for an extra layer of flavor that permeates every bite
  • Use a light hand with the salt when seasoning tomatoes since the Parmesan and breading are already salty
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