Caprese Chicken Sandwich

A Caprese Chicken Sandwich with Pesto is a fresh and flavorful sandwich that combines the classic Italian flavors of Caprese with tender chicken and aromatic pesto. 

Ingredients:
     2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1/2 lb total), pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
1 tbsp Castelvetrano olive oil (plus more for grilling/pan-frying)
Salt, pepper, and oregano to taste
Parisian Loaf
1/4 cup La Bella Romana pesto
Belgioioso fresh mozzarella slices
1-2 ripe tomatoes, sliced


Instructions:          Preheat the oven to 350°F

Prepare the Chicken:
  If your chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally to create thinner      cutlets (about 1/4 inch thick).  
Place each chicken cutlet between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap      and pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin to an even 1/4-inch thickness.  
Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and oregano  

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.  

Cook the chicken for about 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked      through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. 
 Prepare the Bread:   Slice the bread into desired sandwich length  
Assemble the Sandwich:   Spread a generous layer of pesto on the cut sides of both halves  Place chicken on bread   
Layer with a few slices of fresh mozzarella.  
Add a layer of sliced tomatoes (we suggest seasoning tomatoes with salt and oregano)  
Place in preheated oven to allow bread to toast and cheese to melt  
Serve:   Serve the Caprese chicken sandwiches immediately for the best fresh flavor.

Tips and Variations:
Marinating the Chicken: For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight in the refrigerator.
Pesto Mayo: For an extra creamy kick, mix some pesto with mayonnaise to create a "pesto mayo" spread for your bread.
Additions:     Consider adding a handful of fresh arugula, spinach, or thinly sliced red onion for extra texture and flavor.
Tomatoes: Use ripe, in-season tomatoes like beefsteak or heirloom for the best taste.     Seasoning the tomatoes with a little salt and pepper can enhance their flavor.