This delectable grilled chicken caprese sandwich artfully stacks rotisserie chicken breasts atop a medley of classic caprese flavors. Featuring succulent mozzarella, vibrant pesto, and fresh, juicy tomatoes.
Eating on the road can be downright uninspiring – but when leftover rotisserie chicken comes together with mozzarella, pesto, and fresh tomatoes, you’ve got yourself a surprising Italian-inspired gourmet meal that combines all the flavors of a classic caprese salad in one portable package. It’s one of my favorite road trip sandwiches!
This rotisserie caprese chicken sandwich is a scrumptious and convenient meal to enjoy on the road, during lunch at work, or on a laid-back picnic in the park. Check out our road trip snacks for more awesome recipes and our road trip food article if you’re planning an adventure.
Rotisserie Chicken Caprese Sandwich
Recipe Author
Equipment
- Oven or toaster oven (if toasting bread and/or cooking chicken)
- Knife (for slicing rolls, chicken, and tomatoes)
- Baking sheet (if toasting rolls)
- Grill pan or oven-safe skillet (if grilling chicken)
- Meat thermometer (if grilling chicken to ensure proper internal temperature)
- Spreader (for applying pesto)
- Wax paper or airtight container (for storing sandwiches)
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken breast
- 4 Kaiser rolls or your preferred sandwich bread
- 8 slices of Havarti or mozzarella cheese
- 2 ripe tomatoes (sliced)
- 4 tablespoons pesto sauce
Instructions
- OPTIONAL: Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 400°F. Cut the Kaiser rolls in half, then place them on a baking sheet face-down. Toast them for approximately 2-5 minutes, being careful to avoid burning the bread.
- Spread basil pesto sauce on both halves of each roll.
- If using grilled chicken breast, preheat the oven to 450°F. Season chicken with kosher salt and black pepper, and brush with olive oil. Preheat a grill pan or oven-safe skillet on the stovetop, then place the chicken in the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow the grilled chicken breasts to rest for a few minutes before cutting into 1-inch slices.
- If using leftover chicken, slice the chicken breasts into 1-inch slices.
- Place the chicken breast slices on top of the pesto. Add a couple of slices of mozzarella or Havarti cheese on top of the chicken, followed by slices of tomatoes.
- Close the sandwich with the top half of the roll. Wrap sandwiches in wax paper or pack them in an airtight container. This chicken caprese sandwich will keep fresh for two days if refrigerated.
Video
Notes
- To oven-grill chicken breasts, begin by preheating your oven to 450F. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and, if desired, lightly coat them with olive oil. Heat a grill pan or oven-safe skillet on the stovetop and sear the chicken for approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Then, transfer the pan to the preheated oven and cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Allow the chicken to rest briefly before serving.
- To make this Caprese sandwich vegetarian, simply omit the rotisserie chicken and replace it with grilled vegetables or more cheese slices for a delicious vegetarian option.
Nutrition
Storage
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
For best results, we recommend reheating the sandwich in a toaster oven or panini press for a few minutes to restore its warmth and crispness.
Variations
- Substitute the Havarti or mozzarella cheese with other types of cheese, like provolone or Gouda, for a different flavor profile.
- Experiment with different bread options such as ciabatta rolls, whole-grain bread, or even wraps to suit your preference.
- Enhance the sandwich by adding grilled vegetables like roasted red peppers, grilled eggplant slices, or caramelized onions for additional layers of flavor.
- If you can access an oven, bake the assembled sandwiches for about 5 minutes before serving or until the cheese melts and the bread toasts lightly.
Top Tips
Here are my favorite ways to make a good chicken caprese sandwich into a great chicken caprese sandwich:
- Marinate the chicken in pesto sauce for a couple of hours before assembling the sandwich to maximize the flavour.
- For added freshness on the road, use cherry or grape tomatoes instead of regular tomato slices.
- Add fresh basil leaves to the sandwiches, or sprinkle the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning for a burst of aromatic herb.
- Wrap the sandwich tightly in foil or wax paper for a mess-free and portable eating experience.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought rotisserie chicken works perfectly fine and saves you time in the kitchen. This easy chicken sandwich is a great way to transform it into a whole new meal!
How to grill chicken breasts in the oven?
To oven-grill chicken breasts, begin by preheating your oven to 450F. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and, if desired, lightly coat them with olive oil. Heat a grill pan or oven-safe skillet on the stovetop and sear the chicken for approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Then, transfer the pan to the preheated oven and cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Allow the chicken to rest briefly before serving.
Can I make this sandwich vegetarian?
Certainly! Simply omit the rotisserie chicken and replace it with grilled vegetables or more cheese slices for a delicious vegetarian option.