This Caprese Chicken is scrumptious with juicy, buttery chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, and creamy fresh mozzarella. This simple skillet meal is undeniably good.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love anything caprese, and this Caprese Chicken is no exception. The amazing combination of flavors and the ease of this recipe make it a real winner. This is perfect during the summer when tomatoes are in season and at their sweetest. You’re sure to love this super easy, one skillet meal as much as I do.
- TASTE: Sweet, cheesy, rich, and savory, the flavors are to die for in this dish. The garlic butter, fresh basil, and tangy balsamic glaze add even more delicious flavor.
- TEXTURE: This Caprese Chicken is full of tender chicken breasts, juicy tomatoes, and creamy, gooey mozzarella.
- TIME: It takes just 40 minutes to make.
- EASE: This is a really easy dish to make with simple ingredients and only one pan needed.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts will hold together best for this dish.
- Cherry tomatoes- These are small and sweet and add the best flavor for the dish.
- Fresh mozzarella- Packaged in water to keep it moist, this cheese is rich in flavor and melts deliciously on the chicken.
- Fresh basil- Fresh is best with this herb that goes so well with the other ingredients, but you can used dried basil if you need to.
- Garlic- Fresh garlic cloves have the best flavor, but pre-minced can also be used. This adds a nice pungent flavor to the dish.
- Butter- You’ll saute the chicken and other ingredients in melted butter to add richness and moisture.
- Balsamic glaze- A balsamic reduction is thick and syrupy and full of sweet and tangy flavor. You can use store-bought or homemade.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute different meats- You can also make this with chicken thighs, legs, or rotisserie chicken, as well as steak or pork loin.
- Use different tomatoes– Try this recipe with sliced Roma tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or heirloom tomatoes.
- Add brown sugar- If you’re making a balsamic glaze, you can either just reduce the balsamic vinegar, or you can add brown sugar to it to give it more sweetness.
- Make it dairy-free- Substituting oil or vegan butter for the regular butter will make this dish entirely dairy-free if you want.
How to Make Caprese Chicken
- Slice and season the chicken. Cut each chicken breast into thin halves. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Brown the chicken. In a cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil and butter on high and cook each piece of chicken until fully cooked through.
- Let it rest. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover it with foil and set aside.
- Cook the garlic and tomatoes. In the same skillet stir minced garlic and cherry tomatoes for about 2 minutes on medium heat.
- Add mozzarella to the chicken. Place the chicken back into the skillet and add a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese on top of each piece of chicken.
- Melt the cheese and garnish. Broil the cheese for a few minutes. Once the cheese is melted, remove the skillet from the oven and drizzle with the balsamic reduction and garnish with freshly chopped basil.
Pro Tip: Broil time may vary depending on your oven, so check it after a few minutes. You want the cheese to be slightly melted, but not browned.
Recipe Tips
- Slice the chicken evenly- Carefully slice the chicken breasts to create thinner filets that are the same thickness. This helps them cook more quickly and evenly.
- Use a mixture of oil and butter- Butter adds rich flavor to the chicken, while the oil allows it to cook at a higher heat without the butter burning. They work better together.
- Check the chicken for doneness- The best way to make sure chicken is done cooking is to check the temperature with an internal meat thermometer. The chicken should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Broil to melt the cheese- Using the broiler in your oven will send heat down directly onto the mozzarella to melt it without overcooking the chicken. It should only take a few minutes, so don’t skip this step.
FAQs
What 3 main ingredients in this recipe reflect the traditional Caprese salad and the flag of Italy?
Caprese gets its name from the island of Capri and the three main ingredients in this Caprese Chicken recipe that reflect the Italian flag’s colors are tomatoes (red), mozzarella (white), and fresh basil (green).
What goes best with chicken caprese?
This Chicken Caprese dish is wonderful with grains like rice, breads, or pasta. You can also serve it with salads, soups, or appetizers like bruschetta.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade Caprese Chicken is juicy and flavorful with delicious melted mozzarella and a tangy balsamic reduction. It tastes great with grains, salads, potatoes, and pasta.
- Grains: Serve this dish with white rice or creamy mushroom risotto.
- Salads: Enjoy it with a Kani Salad, Spinach Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Roasted Eggplant Salad .
- Potatoes: Pair this chicken dish with Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, Crispy Air Fryer French Fries, Scalloped Potatoes, or Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.
- Pasta: Serve your Caprese Chicken over plain pasta or alongside Asparagus Pasta, Pasta Pomodoro, Spaghetti Carbonara, or Easy Penne Alla Vodka.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can cut and cook the chicken, then store it in the fridge in an airtight container until you’re ready to warm it and it to the other sauteed ingredients.
Storing: Store this Caprese Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, stovetop, or microwave.
Freeze: Once cooled, freeze this dish in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
More Delicious Chicken Dishes!
Full Recipe Instructions
Caprese Chicken
Light, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this baked Caprese Chicken dish is perfect for summer. The chicken cutlets are browned to perfection, topped with melted mozzarella cheese, and garnished with a balsamic reduction and freshly chopped basil.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 407kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast about 2 half breasts
- 1 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp balsamic glaze (homemade or storebought)
Instructions
- Cut each chicken breast into thin halves. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a cast iron skillet, heat olive oil and butter on high, and cook each piece of chicken until fully cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover it with foil and set aside.
- In the same skillet stir minced garlic and cherry tomatoes for about 2 minutes on medium heat.
- Place the chicken back into the skillet and add a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese on top of each piece of chicken.
- Broil until the cheese is melted (a few minutes). Broil time may vary depending on your oven. Once the cheese is melted, remove the skillet from the oven and drizzle with the balsamic reduction and garnish with freshly chopped basil.
Notes
Storing: Store this Caprese Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, stovetop, or microwave.
Freeze: Once cooled, freeze this dish in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Nutrition
Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 573mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 793IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 1mg
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Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!
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Betty says
It was a hit with the whole family! Love how the acidity of the tomatoes balances the flavors out.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Betty 🙂 So happy to hear you and your whole family loved this chicken Caprese recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave your awesome feedback and I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog!
Sheila says
Absolutely delicious!! My family LOVED this! A definite keeper!!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Sheila! I’m so happy to hear that! 🙂