By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 7, 2023
This Stuffed Chicken Caprese Sandwich is our favorite summer grill recipe! Chicken breasts stuffed with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato, marinated in a balsamic reduction, grilled, and made into a delicious chicken sandwich. Amazing!
What’s in a Chicken Caprese Sandwich?
Inspired by classic caprese , this sandwich is stuffed with grilled chicken, tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella for the perfect summer sandwich!
- Balsamic Vinegar: The base of the balsamic glaze . Choose a high-quality vinegar, as this will be the dominant flavor in the marinade.
- Honey: Sweetens the balsamic glaze. You could also use agave or maple syrup.
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the best results. You can also use thighs, but the pockets may be smaller.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder help flavor the chicken.
- Tomato: Slices of fresh tomato work best for stuffing.
- Mozzarella: Choose a large, fresh mozzarella ball for the best results.
- Basil: Fresh large basil leaves work best, but you could use dried basil in a pinch.
- Buns: Choose a hefty burger bun to hold all of the filling!
Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, skip the vinegar and honey and instead use store-bought or leftover homemade balsamic glaze.
Variations on a Caprese Chicken Sandwich
There are so many fun ways to change up these sandwiches. Try using a flavored balsamic vinegar, like raspberry or truffle. Swap the seasonings for your favorite seasoning blend, like Italian seasoning . Add some crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of spice. You could even swap the mozzarella cheese for feta cheese for a fun twist!
Nope! You can grill the chicken breasts or cook them in a frying pan on the stovetop. Either method works well!
I find that chicken breasts are much easier to stuff than thighs. If you only have thighs, you can add less filling or chop up the filling to fit more easily.
If you want to get ahead of things, you can stuff the chicken breasts up to a day ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge.
I do not recommend freezing these sandwiches or even just the chicken, as the cheese and tomatoes do not freeze well.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover stuffed chicken caprese sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
What to Serve with a Balsamic Chicken Caprese Sandwich
These stuffed chicken caprese sandwiches are great served on traditional hamburger buns or on rosemary focaccia . Top them with pesto , garlic aioli , or more balsamic glaze . Add some caramelized onions for a richer flavor.
Serve them with a whole host of sides, from salad to French fries to grilled vegetables . I love mine with garlic parmesan fries and crispy roasted asparagus !
More Chicken Sandwiches
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Chicken Club Sandwich
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups balsamic vinegar
- ▢ 3 tablespoons honey
- ▢ 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder to taste
- ▢ 4 slices tomato
- ▢ 8 slices fresh whole milk mozzarella
- ▢ 8 leaves fresh basil
- ▢ 4 Cobblestone Bread Co.™ hamburger buns we used the Sesame Twist…yum!
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the vinegar and honey over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, stirring regularly. When it starts to thicken and has reduced by about half (approximately 10 minutes), remove from the heat and set aside. 2 cups balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons honey
- Season each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Cut each breast lengthwise, but not all the way, forming a “pita” shape. This is where you will place the mozzarella, basil, and tomato later. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder
- Place the chicken in two large ziplock bags and pour some of the balsamic reduction into each bag, reserving a small amount for garnish. Allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
- When ready to grill, spray your cooking grid with nonstick spray or brush with canola oil. Stuff each chicken with one slice tomato, 2 leaves basil, and 2 slices fresh mozzarella. Use a toothpick to seal the opening if desired, this will make flipping the chicken easier. 4 slices tomato, 8 slices fresh whole milk mozzarella, 8 leaves fresh basil
- Grill the chicken over medium-high heat, approximately 450°F, for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through. This will depend on the thickness of the chicken you picked. When the chicken is white throughout, it’s done!
- Place chicken onto the bottom bun and drizzle with a bit more of the reserved balsamic reduction. Top with the top part of the bun. 4 Cobblestone Bread Co.™ hamburger buns
Becky’s Tips
- Use a sharp pairing knife to cut a pocket in the chicken. Be sure not to cut all the way through.
- Don’t be shy with the cheese, but also don’t overstuff the cheese into the chicken breast pocket.
- When seasoning the chicken, I usually use about one teaspoon of salt per pound of chicken.
- To check the doneness of the chicken, use an instant-read meat thermometer. When it reaches 165°F degrees you’re good to plate up!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Caprese Recipes We Love
- Grilled Caprese Chicken
- Caprese Stuffed Salmon
- Caprese Salad
- Chopped Caprese Salad
- Caprese Farro Salad
- Caprese Pasta Bake
- Caprese Chicken Lasagna
- Mini Caprese Tarts
- Caprese Dip
Stuffed Chicken Caprese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 cups balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder to taste
- 4 slices tomato
- 8 slices fresh whole milk mozzarella
- 8 leaves fresh basil
- 4 Cobblestone Bread Co.™ hamburger buns we used the Sesame Twist…yum!
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the vinegar and honey over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, stirring regularly. When it starts to thicken and has reduced by about half (approximately 10 minutes), remove from the heat and set aside. 2 cups balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons honey
- Season each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Cut each breast lengthwise, but not all the way, forming a “pita” shape. This is where you will place the mozzarella, basil, and tomato later. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder
- Place the chicken in two large ziplock bags and pour some of the balsamic reduction into each bag, reserving a small amount for garnish. Allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
- When ready to grill, spray your cooking grid with nonstick spray or brush with canola oil. Stuff each chicken with one slice tomato, 2 leaves basil, and 2 slices fresh mozzarella. Use a toothpick to seal the opening if desired, this will make flipping the chicken easier. 4 slices tomato, 8 slices fresh whole milk mozzarella, 8 leaves fresh basil
- Grill the chicken over medium-high heat, approximately 450°F, for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through. This will depend on the thickness of the chicken you picked. When the chicken is white throughout, it’s done!
- Place chicken onto the bottom bun and drizzle with a bit more of the reserved balsamic reduction. Top with the top part of the bun. 4 Cobblestone Bread Co.™ hamburger buns
Notes
- Use a sharp pairing knife to cut a pocket in the chicken. Be sure not to cut all the way through.
- Don’t be shy with the cheese, but also don’t overstuff the cheese into the chicken breast pocket.
- When seasoning the chicken, I usually use about one teaspoon of salt per pound of chicken.
- To check the doneness of the chicken, use an instant-read meat thermometer. When it reaches 165°F degrees you’re good to plate up!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
