Made with juicy balsamic chicken thighs, habanero basil pesto, creamy mozzarella, tomatoes, spinach, and balsamic glaze, this delicious Baked Balsamic Chicken Caprese Sandwich with Basil Pesto makes for a wonderful lunch!
After roasting balsamic chicken thighs for this Hearty Balsamic Chicken Cobb Salad, I was inspired to make balsamic chicken caprese sandwiches.
Caprese salad traditionally consists of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze; I thought that these ingredients would pair perfectly with balsamic chicken in a sandwich, and they surely did! One bite of this baked chicken caprese sandwich reminded me of summer.
In order to include the basil, I used the herb to make pesto. Because I love a hint of heat in my food, I added a habanero pepper to the Italian inspired sauce. It was so yummy, and not at all overpowering.
how to make the best chicken caprese sandwich
This chicken caprese sandwich with pesto is quick and easy, but packed with flavor!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bread – I use bulkie rolls, but kaiser rolls, ciabatta, sourdough, and focaccia are other great choices. You want to use a bread that can hold up to all the toppings and get nice and crispy.
- Chicken – Balsamic chicken thighs add fantastic flavor to this caprese sandwich. Chicken breasts will also be nice on the sandwich. Using leftover chicken makes for an even faster meal.
- Pesto – The habanero basil pesto is a delicious spread that adds moisture and flavor. However, store bough pesto will still be a wonderful addition to the chicken sandwich.
- Mozzarella – Mozzarella is the tried and true cheese for caprese salad and works perfectly with the sandwich’s flavor profile.
- Tomatoes and Spinach – Veggies add freshness and nutrients to the caprese sandwich. Make sure to season them with salt and pepper for maximum deliciousness.
- Balsamic Glaze – Another ingredient inspired by the Caprese salad, the glaze adds acidity to the baked balsamic chicken sandwich with basil pesto. It balances the meat, bread, and cheese in a wonderful way.
Both baked and grilled chicken caprese sandwiches are delicious, so feel free to use the oven or the grill.
can this caprese sandwich be made ahead?
I wouldn’t recommend making it ahead, simply because you don’t want the bread to become soggy from all the toppings. However, prepping all of the ingredients ahead of time is a true time saver.
Roast the chicken, make the pesto and balsamic glaze, and slice the cheese and veggies the night before. The next day, you will be grateful to have a delicious lunch ready in five minutes!
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below! I’d love to know what you think.
PrintBaked Balsamic Chicken Caprese Sandwich with Basil Pesto
Made with juicy balsamic chicken thighs, habanero basil pesto, creamy mozzarella, tomatoes, spinach, and balsamic glaze, this delicious Baked Balsamic Chicken Caprese Sandwich with Basil Pesto makes for a wonderful lunch!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 bulkie or kaiser rolls, sliced
- 2 balsamic chicken thighs (see recipe below)
- 1/2 cup basil habanero pesto (see recipe below)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 2 slices of mozzarella
- 2 slices of heirloom tomatoes
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze (see note 1)
- 1/4 cup fresh spinach
Balsamic Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3/4 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Habanero Basil Pesto
- 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves, stems removed
- 2 teaspoons pine nuts
- 1/2 habanero pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, or as much as is needed
- 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- In a large bowl, season the chicken with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, smoked paprika, basil, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- On a foil-lined sheet tray, roast the chicken for 20-25 minutes. Remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- While the chicken is roasting, make the pesto. Blend the basil, pine nuts, habanero pepper, and garlic in a food processor. Slowly add in the olive oil. Once the mixture is smooth, add the cheese. Pulse a few times to combine.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (see note 2).
- Assemble the sandwiches. Spread pesto on two slices of buttered bread. Top one slice with chicken, tomato slice, mozzarella, spinach, and balsamic glaze. Place the other slice of bread atop the filling.
- When oven is heated, add the sandwiches. Bake for three to five minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Notes
- While store bought balsamic glaze is convenient, you can also make it at home! Simply simmer balsamic vinegar with a bit of brown sugar over medium low heat for about 20 minutes.
- These sandwiches are also awesome on a panini press or grill.
Keywords: lunch recipes, chicken recipes
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