A sandwich so good you’ll want to phone a friend to tell them about it. 🙂
Not kidding.
Easy and super fast if you pass on roasting the garlic. But, if you’re a garlic lover like we are, that’s one ingredient you don’t want to pass up.
A perfect, light, low fat and satisfying meal that tastes so good, you’ll love to have it on a busy weeknight! The beautiful thing is? It looks fabulous and it couldn’t be easier to put together!
Now I don’t know about you, but for me, if it’s a sandwich, it’s all about the bread. Of course, the other ingredients must make an appearance too and their very presence can make or break a good sandwich. But…, if the bread is bad ~ you’re probably like me and you’re shedding that bread to get to the good stuff.
You don’t want to do that here. 🙂
Be sure to get beautiful, red, ripe on-the-vine tomatoes.
And a bunch of nice fresh, bright green basil. Which will smell amazing when you julienne it!
The important part of this sandwich is to get yourself a good artisan loaf that can withstand the weight of the chicken breast and can withstand the heat of the broiler.
In this recipe, I pre-toasted my bread, but in hindsight I’m not sure you have to. The broiler will toast the bread, at least on the top – so when you’re making the “Do I toast?” or “Do I not toast?” decision, ask yourself how much texture you want in your bread. We love a lot of texture and we love the over-done crunchy bits – so pre-toasting before broiling was the perfect decision for us!
And you can have it with, or without, the balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil drizzle. It’s good this way too!
I hope you love this sandwich as much as we did. It was such a light, low-fat sandwich and seemed perfect for spring.
Enjoy!
Chicken Caprese Sandwich with Roasted Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 head garlic roasted
- 2 chicken breast cut in half and pounded to 1/4" thick
- 4 slices Artisan onion bread toasted
- tomatoes sliced
- mozarella cheese sliced
- basil julienned
- balsamic vinegar scant
- extra-virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Cut the top off of the garlic, exposing the tops of the heads.
- Create a tinfoil tent, and place garlic inside, with cut sides up. Drizzle exposed garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Wrap garlic tightly in tin foil, place in a baking dish and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove garlic from oven, and when cool enough to touch, squeeze garlic cloves from the skins. Discard skins. Drizzle just a scant amount of olive oil over heads, then smash the garlic heads with a fork to make a paste. Set aside.
- Toast bread and set aside.
- Spread garlic paste on each slice of bread and set aside.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken breast.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Turn heat down to medium. Add chicken to pan and cook over medium heat 3-5 minutes per side or until done and juices run clear. When done, remove from pan and set aside. Let rest for 2 minutes.
- Layer garlic bread with chicken, tomatoes and mozarella cheese. Place under broiler and heat until cheese melts and is bubbly. Remove from oven and top with basil. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
- Serve.
Marcie says
I love Caprese anything — this sandwich looks so delicious, Kristi!
Kristi says
Me too Marcie – this sandwich was really good. Light but filling!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
This looks like such a simple yet totally satisfying dish! Simple is often times the best, isn’t it?! And what’s not to love about roasted garlic?!?!
Kristi says
Thanks Chris – it WAS simple and delicious! Those are my favorite kind of meals. 🙂
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
Kristi, I’m definitely going to have to phone a friend about this one! My boys would love this… we are huge sandwich lovers. And, this one is very creative! Pinning!
Kristi says
Hahaha! Thanks for the pin Gloria! And, I’m so pleased you like it! Your boys will love it! Easy, simple and yet delicious!
Johlene says
So why didn´t you phone me??? 🙂
You have a new follower on Instagram!! xoxo
Kristi says
Hahahaha! Love you Johlene! So glad I have an Instagram fan! xoxo back at you!
Kristi says
Grrrr. Sometimes I just can’t spell. The head says one thing, the fingers type another! {Hugs} Johlene. The head is not engaged today.
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I bet the roasted garlic makes this sandwich taste absolutely amazing! Love this recipe Kristi!
Kristi says
Thanks Christin! We love roasted garlic and it makes a real difference in this recipe!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
This looks phenomenal! I love caprese salads and I have been dying to try roasted garlic! Once I finally do try roasted garlic, I know I’ll be obsessed! Aaaand I will absolutely be making this sandwich!
Kristi says
Roasted garlic is sssssooooo easy. I was thinking of doing it for the WA Wednesday series. And yes, it’s completely addictive once you start! 🙂
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
YUM. This sandwich includes so many of my favorite flavors! We are huge garlic lovers so we will certainly be roasting ours. 🙂 What an awesome, springtime meal, Kristi!
Kristi says
I’m so glad you like it Alyssa! I am so ready for springtime! And, I love these sort of light, easy meals! Have a beautiful week!
Judit + Corina @WineDineDaily says
We both love Caprese salad and this looks fantastic Kristi! The crusty bread with roasted garlic sounds heavenly 🙂
J+C
Kristi says
Thank you Judit & Corina! I’m so glad you like it! Have a great week!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
Kristi, this looks Ah-mazing!!!! I honestly would not even need the chicken. I would go right for the toasted bread, tomato, cheese, garlic and basil. That way I could eat more of them!! I know, I know…..now a days everyone is so paranoid of gluten and just want the protein, but I am a carb-a-holic!! These are making me hungry!!! 🙂
Kristi says
I could go without the chicken too – as long as I had that scrumptious roasted garlic. I swear, I am totally addicted to the stuff! Hope you have a beautiful week Renee!
whatjessicabakednext says
This looks divine! I love caprese sandwiches!
Kristi says
Thanks Jessica! I hope you love it! Have a great week!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen says
MMM this looks so fresh! I love caprese!
Kristi says
Thanks Kristi! I am so glad you like it! Have a beautiful week!
Aimee / WallflowerGirl.co.uk says
How beautifully presented! I wish I could make my meals look like that… and it sounds super delicious 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Aimee! They don’t always turn out this pretty, but sometimes I get lucky! I hope you have a great week!
Juliana says
Wow, this sandwich looks awesome, like how you layered it…and the roasted garlic just sound delicious!
Thanks for the recipe Kristi…have a wonderful week 😀
Kristi says
Thanks Juliana! I am so glad you like it! The roasted garlic was a great addition! Have a beautiful week yourself!
Kelly says
This sandwich looks amazing Kristi! I love caprese salads and the roasted garlic makes this so irresistible!
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly! I think you’ll love it if you try it. The roasted garlic is the trick! Have a great week!
Monica says
Can’t stop admiring that perfectly toasted piece of bread! The rest looks amazing too. I want that for breakfast, lunch, dinner…or a snack, anytime!
Kristi says
Thanks Monica! I love my bread a little on the crunchier side – I’m a huge fan of texture! Have a great week!
Monica says
I like my bread toasted to the point of almost burnt so I know just what you’re talking about! Delish!
Mary Frances says
Looks fresh, light and delicious!
Kristi says
Thanks Mary Frances! Sandwiches are the best. 🙂
Ashley says
This is one awesome looking sandwich! I love the bread on sandwiches too – but with this one the tomato and mozzarella are definitely calling out to me! haha And the basil … I don’t want to forget that either : )
Kristi says
Oh no – you can’t forget the basil! The smell alone is amazing! Have a great weekend Ashley!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I need one of these for dinner today, I really do! Oh wow, this is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever seen! xx
Kristi says
Thanks Consuelo – it was really tasty and healthy too!
Jack says
Kristi,
When making this sandwich I had no balsamic vinegar in the house; BUT I did have a bottle of balsamic glaze just hanging around. Well, when I topped this sandwich with the balsamic glaze, it reminded me why we were given taste buds. Mmmmmnn!!! ( did I spell that right? ) the tase was heavenly. I don’t think I would tire of having this joyous sandwich on my menu every week. Thanks ever so much.
Jack
Kristi says
Thanks Jack! I am so glad you liked the sandwich! We loved it, so to know someone else loves it too is a bonus!