This easy recipe for Chicken Caprese Paninis was on the menu this week—and it was fantastic.
Paninis aren’t just sandwiches; they’re the warm, pressed version that turn simple ingredients into something special.
There’s something magical about piling flavors together, melting cheese, and pressing everything between golden, crisp bread.
A classic Caprese uses fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and often a touch of balsamic. This panini includes all of those elements plus grilled chicken for added protein and heartiness.
How to make Chicken Caprese Paninis
I grilled chicken for dinner one night and intentionally made extra to use in these paninis—an easy time-saving trick I use often.
Instead of fresh basil leaves, I used pesto for the added garlic and Parmesan notes it brings.
Begin by spreading pesto on a good slice of bread. Quality bread makes a huge difference in any sandwich.
Next, add the sliced grilled chicken.
Layer garden-fresh tomato slices, season them with kosher salt and pepper, and drizzle with balsamic glaze for a bright, tangy finish.
The balsamic glaze adds a delightful sweet-acid balance—look for it in the vinegar aisle at the grocery store.
Top with a few slices of fresh mozzarella, add the remaining slice of bread, and you’re ready for the panini press.
This is a generous sandwich, and it will meld together in about 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat.
When pressing, be gentle—press enough to seal and brown the bread but not so hard that the cheese and fillings spill out.
A little cheese escape is inevitable and often becomes a tasty bonus snack.
See what I mean?! All pressed together into a gorgeous and delicious Chicken Caprese Panini!
Waiting for it to cool is the hardest part.
I lifted the top slice briefly to speed cooling and added an extra drizzle of balsamic glaze—because it’s irresistible.
More recipes to try like Chicken Caprese Paninis…
Italian Pressed Sandwiches
Flank Steak Caprese
Chopped Caprese Salad
Cheesy Goetta Bacon Melts
Smoked Salmon Paninis
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Chicken Caprese Paninis
Chicken Caprese Paninis layer chicken, pesto, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella between slices of bread and grill until melted and golden.
Main Course
American
Cheesy, Chicken, Easy, Leftovers, Panini, Pesto, Sandwich
Ingredients
- 8 slices bread
- 4 oz pesto
- 1 pound cooked chicken breasts sliced
- 2 tomatoes sliced
- kosher salt, pepper
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 2 oz balsamic glaze (vinegar section)
Instructions
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Lay 4 slices of bread flat and spread each with pesto.
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Top each with sliced chicken and tomatoes; season tomatoes with kosher salt and pepper and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Add fresh mozzarella and top with remaining bread slices.
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Place two sandwiches at a time in a panini press set to medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, pressing gently. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
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