This caprese grilled cheese sandwich is loaded with melted mozzarella, chicken, and marina sauce. It’s an easy comfort food dinner recipe!
Hello! Is it seriously Tuesday? I am so behind! I went to my first food blogger conference this weekend in Portland. It was my first trip away from my kids, and I think it was good for all of us. The guys got a couple days of man time, and I got to make some connections and learn a thing or two. It was nice to not hear “Mommy” 2,351 times per day while I was gone, and I finally got to meet my dear friend Jen from Yummy Healthy Easy.
Anyway, Sunday I was right back to reality, the reality that summer is here. My oldest is out of school, and my youngest started a fever Sunday night, so he couldn’t go to school either. As it turns out, my productivity decreases 100% with both kids home. I wanted to share a dessert recipe yesterday, but I just couldn’t make it happen. We’ll have to skip right to these grilled cheese sandwiches instead.
Aren’t dinners like these great for when you are busy and worn out (AKA weary)? You can whip these up for the family in no time. I happen to have a waffle iron, so I like to grill my sandwiches in there. If you don’t have one, you can either toast these open faced in a 375 degree oven (like this) or grill them in a pan, whichever you prefer. I actually don’t love making grilled cheese sandwiches the traditional way in a hot skillet because the bread cooks faster than the filling melts, so I end up with burned bread or cold cheese in the middle. If you are more of a skillet sandwich master, then go for it!
Enjoy your sandwiches and your week. I’ll bring you a roundup tomorrow and easy dinner recipe on Thursday, so check back then!
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- 8 slices sandwich bread
- olive oil
- garlic salt (optional)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and sliced into 1/2" thick pieces
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
- handful fresh basil minced
Ingredients
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- Preheat panini press, waffle iron, or oven to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly rub one side of each slice of bread with olive oil, and sprinkle garlic salt over the oil if desired. Flip bread over. Arrange mozzarella slices on both sides of bread for each sandwich. Evenly arrange a layer of chicken over the cheese on one slice, and spoon a couple tablespoons of sauce over the chicken. Leave about 1/2" of chicken around the edges uncovered because the sauce will squish out a bit when the sandwich is pressed together. Sprinkle basil over the sauce.
- If preparing in a panini press or waffle iron, put the sides of each sandwich together. Spray the iron lightly with cooking spray (if recommended for your appliance), place a sandwich inside, and press closed. Cooking time will depend on your appliance, but with my waffle iron I cooked it through two waffle cycles. Cut sandwiches in half if desired and serve.
- If preparing in an oven, place the unassembled sides of the sandwiches on a baking sheet(s), and bake for 7-10 minutes, until cheese is completely melted. Put sides of sandwiches together, cut if desired, and serve.
This recipe is great with leftover chicken. If you are cooking the chicken just for these sandwiches, season it lightly with seasoned salt, and bake, saute, or grill until cooked through before slicing.
I originally shared this recipe at Julie's Eats and Treats.
You might want these tools for this recipe (affiliate links):
You’ll also love these recipes with caprese flavors:
So do you pound the chicken breasts to 1/2 or 1/4 inch thick, or pre-cook them? The instructions did not state
I’m sorry, Lynne! I left a note off the recipe. I just cook the chicken breasts and slice them into about 1/2″ slices. I’ll fix up the recipe now. These are also great to make with leftover chicken if you have some! Thanks for your question :)
I’ve never been to a blog conference before, but I hope to someday. The sandwich looks so delicious and perfect to fill my grilled cheese craving I’ve been having.
I hope you get a chance to go to a conference before long. They are great for meeting other bloggers and coming home with new ideas and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by, Valerie! :)
It was so great meeting you at the conference, Andi! I agree, it’s nice letting the kids hang with dad for a couple of days – my daughter loved it! This grilled cheese is right up my alley. Easy, cheesy and so delicious!
It was so fun meeting you too! It went by fast, didn’t it? Thanks, Joanie!
Oh, were you at Indulge? I’ve still never been to a food blogger conference, sounds like so much fun! I love that you made this sandwich on your waffle maker…gets the job done! Looks delicious!
Yes, I was at Indulge! It was a really fun trip. Thank you, Denise!
How wonderful you got away and got to go to a food conference! My little one had a fever for a while and I’m with you on the productivity disappearing with the kiddos home. I just love these easy and flavorful sandwich!
Summer is going to be a challenge on the weeks I have the kids home! They have camps some of the time so I can get some work done. Hang in there! Thank you :)
This sandwich is the perfect meal for a busy day! I love caprese anything and I may take your advice and try a waffle iron to make it!
Thanks so much, Sara! Definitely try the waffle iron! I hardly use mine for actual waffles, and it has to earn its keep somehow ;)
How fun that you got to meet Jen! Love how quick and easy these sandwiches are – the perfect way to ease reentry!
It looked like you had so much fun at Indulge! And I am loving this delicious sandwich! Sometimes you just need something nice and easy!