Chicken Caprese Sandwich with Pesto Mayo

This chicken caprese sandwich is a fresh, Italian-inspired sandwich made with juicy pan-seared chicken, homemade focaccia, basil pesto mayo, ripe tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella. It's fresh, satisfying, and perfect for summer lunches, picnics, or an easy Italian-inspired dinner.

A good chicken caprese sandwich recipe is all about fresh ingredients and simple layers. The chicken makes it hearty, while the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil keep everything fresh and full of summer flavor.

We used our homemade focaccia for this recipe, which works beautifully for this sandwich. It's soft and airy inside, with enough structure to hold everything together. Other Italian-style breads like ciabatta, panini, or sourdough also work well.

Scroll down for step-by-step photos, helpful tips, wine pairings, and easy flavor variations!

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Chicken Caprese Sandwich
• Ingredients You'll Need
• Seasonality: When Are Tomatoes in Season?
• How to Make a Chicken Caprese Sandwich
• Flavor Variations, Substitutions and Add-Ins
• What to Serve with Chicken Caprese Sandwiches
• Best Wine Pairings
• Storage Instructions
• More Caprese Recipes to Try
• Chicken Caprese Sandwich with Pesto Mayo

Why You'll Love This Chicken Caprese Sandwich

• Fresh summer flavor - Ripe tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella give this sandwich classic Caprese flavor.
• Quick to make - The chicken cooks in about 10-12 minutes.
• Easy to customize - Use grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, ciabatta, sourdough, or panini bread.

Ingredients You'll Need

This caprese sandwich with chicken uses simple ingredients that come together to make a fresh and satisfying lunch.

• Chicken breasts - Small skinless chicken breasts work best. Butterfly them so they cook quickly and evenly.
• Extra-virgin olive oil - Used to coat the chicken and add flavor.
• Italian seasoning - Adds a simple herby flavor to the chicken.
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper - For seasoning the chicken and finishing the sandwich.

• Your favorite Italian bread - We used our homemade focaccia for this recipe, but ciabatta, panini, sourdough, or any sturdy Italian-style bread will work well. 
• Basil pesto - Use homemade basil pesto or your favorite store-bought pesto.
• Mayonnaise - Mixed with pesto to make a quick creamy pesto mayo.
• Arugula - Adds a fresh, peppery layer.
• Fresh basil leaves - Brings classic Caprese flavor.
• Ripe tomatoes - Use the best summer tomatoes you can find.
• Fresh mozzarella - Creamy mozzarella pairs beautifully with the chicken, pesto, and tomatoes.
• Balsamic glaze - Optional, but delicious for a little sweetness and acidity.
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper - For seasoning the chicken and finishing the sandwich.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Seasonality: When Are Tomatoes in Season?

Tomatoes are typically in season from late spring through early fall, making them a staple ingredient in summer salads, sandwiches, and fresh Mediterranean-style dishes.

During the peak summer months, tomatoes are especially juicy and flavorful, which makes recipes like this chicken mozzarella tomato sandwich even better.

Want to learn more about when fruits and vegetables are in season? Explore the USDA's Seasonal Produce Guide.

How to Make a Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Prepare the chicken

• In a bowl, mix olive oil and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken and coat well. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook the chicken

• Heat a large pan over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 73°C / 165°F).

Chef's Tip: Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken. Thicker pieces will need a little longer, while thinner cutlets will cook more quickly.

• Remove from the pan and let the chicken rest for a few minutes, while you prepare the sandwich.

Chef's Tip: Letting the chicken rest keeps it juicy - slicing too early will dry it out.

Make the pesto mayo

• In a small bowl, mix the pesto and mayonnaise until smooth

Assemble the sandwiches

• Spread pesto mayo on the bread. Layer with arugula, basil leaves, chicken, tomato, and mozzarella.

Finish and close

• Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze (if using). Season lightly, then top with the second slice of bread.

Serve and Enjoy

• Slice in half if desired and serve immediately.

Flavor Variations, Substitutions and Add-Ins

This caprese chicken sandwich is easy to adapt depending on what you have on hand.

• Use grilled chicken - Grilled chicken adds a lovely smoky flavor and works beautifully with the tomato, mozzarella, and pesto mayo.
• Use rotisserie chicken - A great shortcut for busy days. Slice or shred the chicken and warm it slightly before assembling.
• Add roasted red peppers - They add sweetness and extra Mediterranean flavor.
• Make it spicy - Add a little Calabrian chili paste, chili flakes, or spicy mayo.
• Toast the bread - Lightly toasting the bread helps it hold up well, especially if your tomatoes are very juicy.

What to Serve with Chicken Caprese Sandwiches

This chicken caprese sandwich is filling enough on its own, but it's also lovely with fresh salads, crispy sides, and picnic-style snacks.

• Fresh salads - Serve with our vegetarian Italian pasta salad, watermelon salad with feta, or cucumber feta salad for an easy summer lunch.
• Crispy sides - Baked potato wedges are perfect if you want something warm and hearty on the side or try a handful of kettle chips
• Picnic-style sides - Add peach appetizer skewers, watermelon feta skewers, Greek salad skewers, or marinated olives for a relaxed summer spread.

Best Wine Pairings

This chicken caprese sandwich pairs well with fresh, bright wines that complement the tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and pesto mayo

• Sauvignon Blanc - Bright acidity works well with the tomato, basil, and pesto.
• Pinot Grigio - Light and refreshing, perfect for a summer sandwich.
• Vermentino - A lovely Mediterranean-style pairing with basil, olive oil, mozzarella, and tomato.
• Dry Rosé - A great picnic wine that works well with chicken, pesto, and balsamic glaze.

Storage Instructions

• Fridge: This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh, but once assembled, it can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to 4 hours. After that, the tomatoes, pesto mayo, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze will start to soften the bread.
• Make Ahead: Cook the chicken and make the pesto mayo up to 2-3 days ahead. Store separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella just before assembling.
• Picnic Tip: Layer the drier ingredients closest to the bread. Spread the pesto mayo on the focaccia, then add arugula, chicken, mozzarella, tomato, and basil. Wrap tightly in parchment paper or foil and keep chilled until ready to serve.

More Caprese Recipes to Try

If you enjoy the fresh flavors in this chicken caprese sandwich, you may also like our:

• Tomato Caprese Salad
• Baked Caprese Chicken
• Caprese Skewers

This chicken caprese sandwich is a simple, satisfying recipe for warm-weather lunches, picnics, or easy dinners. It's fresh, hearty, and a lovely way to turn classic Caprese flavors into a proper sandwich.

Give it a try and let us know in the comments how it turned out! Don't forget to Pin it for later or share it with a friend who loves fresh summer recipes.

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.