I don’t know about you, but Wednesday nights were one of the busiest nights of the week at my house when I was growing up.
Between church youth group, dance, and DJ’ing (yeeeah, my older brother was a DJ at our high school’s onsite radio station – bahaha! Oh dear God, so was I. Definitely repressed that memory until just now.) my brothers and I had to be fed and out the door by 5:30pm at the latest every Wednesday night.
As such, dinners that evening were usually super quick and easy. No time to waste when the Lord (or Alanis Morisette circa 1997) was calling! I can recall many a Sloppy Joe, Chicken Salad, or Pasta Bake being served on those hectic nights, when time was of the essence.
These days, it’s much of the same. Regrettably, all the crap Ben and I tell ourselves we’ll do Monday or Tuesday usually gets put off until Wednesday – as neither of us want to do anything on Thirsty Thursday or Friday Funday – and as soon as we’re done working and eating dinner, we’re out the door running errands, cleaning the house, and, in general, being responsible adults.
Blerg.
For those of you in a similar situation, try whipping up Open Face Chicken Caprese Sandwiches for a quick and easy dinner on a hectic Wednesday (or any weekday) night. They’re incredibly delicious, filling, and, best of all, ready in just 15 minutes.
Plus they’re covered in melted cheese!
I am a sucker for caprese anything, and I love how the addition of sauteed chicken in these sandwiches gives the classic caprese combo of tomato, basil, and cheese a filling and satisfying oomph.
Start the Open-Face Chicken Caprese Sandwiches by seasoning chicken breasts cut into strips with salt & pepper.
Saute the strips on a non-stick sprayed skillet over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes a side, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center.
Remove the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
Meanwhile, slice up some bread for the base of the sandwich. You want something hearty like a crusty baguette or loaf of French bread, which is what I used.
Slice the bread at an angle, then lightly butter 2 slices per person, and toast them under the broiler until they’re just barely golden brown along the edges.
While the bread’s toasting, slice up a couple of juicy tomatoes.
I used vine-ripened tomatoes, but you could use roma, beefsteak – or really anything you’ve got on hand. Next, slice up the cheese.
Now, mozzarella is what’s usually used in caprese salads, etc, but I had fontina on hand which is mild in flavor like mozz, plus I love how it melts. Feel free to use either! Slice as thin or as thick as you like, too.
Once the bread is toasted, layer on the sauteed chicken and tomato slices.
Then top with torn fresh basil, and finish with the cheese.
Pop the pieces back under the broiler until the cheese melts and the fillings are warm, then crack some black pepper on top.
Check your watch, ’cause that’s it!
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Open-Face Chicken Caprese Sandwiches
Description
Open Face Chicken Caprese Sandwiches are delicious, filling, and ready in just 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 small chicken breasts (or 1 large breast)
- salt & pepper
- 4 slices French or country-style bread
- softened butter
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into 1/4" slices
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
- 2oz fontina or mozzarella cheese, cut into slices
Directions
- Season chicken with salt & pepper on both sides, then saute in a non-stick sprayed skillet over medium-heat until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 3-4 minutes a side. Remove to a plate, and set aside.
- Position oven rack in the second slot under the broiler, about 6-7 inches away from the heat. Lightly butter one side of each bread slice, then place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil until golden brown around the edges.
- Place cooked chicken on top of toasted bread slices, then top with tomatoes, basil, and cheese. Place back under the broiler until cheese is melted. Crack black pepper over the top, then serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats 05.17.2012
This looks great! I bet it would be awesome with a balsamic reduction drizzled on top…but maybe that would be better for a Monday or Tuesday night!
little bit 05.17.2012
Wednesdays and Thursdays are busy for us (I start teaching Thursday evenings at 5:15!), so this will be perfect. I think I’ll add a drizzle of pesto for an extra punch… yum!
sharon 05.17.2012
you had me at 15 minutes. yum.
Michelle Wollin 05.17.2012
Where in Cali are you going? I’m in Sacramento, it’s beautiful right now.
Most hectic days are Wed too!
Maura @ My Healthy 'Ohana 05.17.2012
We just planted a basil plant and I have been making caprese everything ever since!! Hope you have a great trip to CA!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 05.16.2012
Looks fantastic!!! This is a great idea and a recipe I know my fiance would love.
Marie Martin 05.16.2012
Thanks for dinner IG! It was delicious!!!
Sarah 05.16.2012
Amazingness. I have been in a cooking rut, so I’ll have to make these quick and easy sandwiches soon. It’s also a challenge meal planning for the week for ONE. I am not a huge fan of leftovers (can handle it for like a day), so sandwiches and recipes like this are GREAT.
Stephanie @ On the Road to RD 05.16.2012
Ahhhh, open face sandwiches are the best! They remind me of my childhood! Looks delish!
amanda @ fake ginger 05.16.2012
Mmmm! I don’t love fresh basil but I can never resist a caprese sandwich.
You guys are doing so much better than be in the busy-night-dinner department. We had chocolate chip waffles tonight.
Andrea 05.16.2012
These look so good! I love anything caprese!
mollie 05.16.2012
Were going to cali on Friday morning for a few days! Glad to get out of Iowa for a few days.
That sandwich looks awesome! Love the caprese combo!
Jen 05.16.2012
Do this all the time when I have fresh mozz cheese, minus the butter & chicken. Never even crossed my mind to add chicken, if u drizzle some reduced balsamic vinger on top it will take it too awhole other level, love balsamic!
Irene 05.16.2012
Those look amazing! And Easy!!!!! I just love your recipes, I have made so many it is crazy!!!!
erica 05.16.2012
busiest nights are the nights we go to the gym right after work, when my husband has a crossfit-type class and i follow with a personal training class.
i still don’t know how mother’s do it with work, kids, a home and all the kids’ activities. i can barely keep up and i don’t have any kids!
Emily 05.16.2012
How did our moms do it? My mom & I both had to be at handbell choir rehearsal on Wednesdays by 5:30. Then I’d go straight to youth group. So somehow she made dinner for us all, taught piano lessons until 5, and still got us all to church on time. I am in awe…I hope I can live up to her someday!
Lauren 05.16.2012
We went on a cruise for our honeymoon and I used to order this sandwich from the restaurant almost every single day. I absolutely LOVED it but probably haven’t had it since then. It’s just so fresh and summery!
Traci 05.16.2012
The weather is beautiful here in CA right now. Enjoy your trip!
kathleen @ the daily crumb 05.16.2012
i LOVE anything and everything with basil — especially cheeeeese! love these little sammies :)
Lindsey 05.16.2012
Thursday! I do my meal planning and grocery list for Saturday. Then the usual weeknight activities, gym, make supper and blog makes for a busy night.