Description
Succulent chicken caprese panini brings Italian summer flavors to your sandwich experience. Melted mozzarella, fresh basil, and juicy tomatoes create a mouthwatering combination you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 chicken breast, cooked and sliced in half lengthwise
- 4 ounces (113 grams) low moisture, part-skim mozzarella
- 4 slices Italian bread, thickly sliced
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pesto
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) roasted red peppers, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) red onion, slivered
Cooking Essentials:
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Lavishly spread a generous layer of aromatic pesto across the interior surfaces of two bread slices, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Layer tender chicken breast halves atop the pesto-coated bread, creating a solid protein foundation.
- Distribute thin-sliced red onion, vibrant roasted red peppers, and creamy mozzarella cheese evenly across the chicken.
- Crown each sandwich with the remaining bread slice, creating a complete panini structure.
- Preheat the panini press and lightly coat the cooking surfaces with non-stick spray to prevent adhesion.
- Carefully position the assembled sandwiches into the heated press, applying gentle pressure to create distinctive grill marks.
- Grill the paninis for approximately 3-4 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration and thorough heating.
- Monitor the sandwich closely, watching for melted cheese and crisp exterior, which signals optimal doneness.
- Swiftly remove the paninis from the press using a spatula, transferring to a cutting surface.
- Slice diagonally with a sharp knife, creating two triangular halves that showcase the melted interior.
- Serve immediately while the panini remains hot and the cheese remains deliciously molten.
Notes
- Maximize pesto flavor by spreading a generous, thick layer that coats every corner of the bread for an intense herbal punch.
- Choose hearty, thick-cut artisan bread to prevent sogginess and create a satisfying, crispy exterior when grilled.
- For gluten-free option, swap regular bread with gluten-free sourdough or focaccia to maintain the sandwich’s robust texture.
- Experiment with protein alternatives like grilled portobello mushrooms or plant-based chicken for vegetarian and vegan versions without compromising the classic Caprese flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg