Caprese Chicken

Caprese Chicken is loaded with all the classic Italian flavors and ready in under 30 minutes! Seasoned chicken breasts are seared in a balsamic vinegar reduction, then topped with mozzarella and tomatoes and baked in the oven for a one dish meal. This quick and simple recipe will quickly become a favorite for the whole family.

Chicken Caprese in 30 Minutes!

Whenever I think of a caprese salad I am immediately transported back to my time spent in Italy.

The vibrant and juicy tomatoes. Fresh, hand-pulled mozzarella cheese. And the fragrant basil that you could smell a mile away.

And while I love Texas, sometimes I want my tastebuds to travel to a place far, far away, and that’s exactly what this Caprese Chicken will do.

Like the simplicity of its salad counterpart, this chicken caprese is just as easy to make. You’ll quickly sear up some chicken breasts in a balsamic reduction, plop in some tomatoes, top with mozzarella slices, and then bake it up in the oven. This one-pan meal is SO simple.

In less than 30 minutes, and in just ONE POT, you can enjoy the flavors of Italy ANY night of the week from the comfort of your own home! This easy chicken dinner is PERFECT for busy weeknights.

Check out How to Chiffonade for a beautiful presentation for this easy dinner recipe, as well.

And if you can’t get enough of these flavors, try these easy Caprese Bites for an appetizer or Chicken Caprese and Asparagus for a full meal. 

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this caprese chicken recipe include:

• Chicken. Look for organic, boneless skinless chicken breasts, if possible. A meat tenderizer is used to thin the breasts for even cooking and to ensure a juicy chicken breast. You can use boneless chicken thighs, but you need to adjust the cook time.
• Oil. Choose either avocado oil or olive oil.
• Garlic. Freshly minced garlic is essential and adds so much flavor. Avoid the powdered stuff.
• Tomatoes. Go for a smaller, firm variety of ripe tomatoes, like grape or cherry tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes from your garden or farmers market have the most flavor.
• Balsamic vinegar. Use a high-quality balsamic vinegar that you like the taste of as it will come through in the final dish.
• Brown sugar. You only need a little to make the reduction. You can sub in coconut sugar or even honey or pure maple syrup, if needed.
• Mozzarella cheese. The type of cheese you get plays a huge role in this chicken recipe. Fresh mozzarella cheese sliced into pieces is key. You can also use a container of mozzarella fresca that has been pre-sliced. Shredded mozzarella will work as well.
• Basil. Fresh basil leaves are easy to find at the store and so important. Check out how to chiffonade for a professional-looking presentation. You won’t use a whole bunch, so make sure you know how to store basil properly. While fresh is best for this recipe, if you have a bumper crop, learn how to dry basil.

How to Make Caprese Chicken

The basic steps for making baked caprese chicken are simple to follow: 

Prep the Chicken

Preheat the oven to 350℉.

Spread the chicken breasts out on a cutting board. To save a mess, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or place in a large Ziploc bag.

Use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken until it’s 1-inch thick. Then, use a sharp knife to slice the breasts into four portions.

Heat oil in a large, ovenproof skillet (like a cast-iron skillet) or Dutch oven over medium heat. Then, add the chicken to the pot and sprinkle ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper over the meat.

Sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side. They don’t need to be cooked all the way through here since they’ll finish cooking in the oven. Set the chicken on a plate to the side.

Make the Sauce

Add the garlic to the pot you just cooked the chicken in. Stir for 30 seconds, until it’s fragrant.

Mix in the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and remaining salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.

Allow the vinegar mixture to simmer in the bottom of the pan for 2 to 3 minutes, just until it’s thickened.

Add the Chicken, Cheese, and Tomatoes

Use tongs to place the chicken breasts back into the pot with the balsamic reduction. Carefully turn them over to fully coat each side.

Set a 1-ounce slice of mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken, then add in the sliced tomatoes.

Place the pan in the heated oven and cook for 18 to 20 minutes. The chicken should be golden brown and needs to reach 165℉ on an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part. (Here’s more info on the internal temperature of chicken once it’s done.)

Top and Serve

Sprinkle some basil chiffonade over the baked chicken. If desired, a drizzle of your own balsamic glaze is perfection.

Enjoy!

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead of time: You can prep the chicken the day before. Just store it in an airtight container. You can also cut the tomatoes and cheese one day early, if desired.
• How to store: Keep leftover caprese chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
• How to freeze: You can easily freeze this dish, just know the tomatoes will have a different texture when thawed. Place chicken in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 4 to 6 months.
• How to reheat: Warm leftover chicken back up in the microwave or use the oven at a lower temperature (too high and the cheese will melt off!).

What is Chicken Caprese?

Chicken Caprese is an Italian dish based on the traditional salad with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic reduction. These ingredients are piled on seasoned chicken breasts and baked for a flavorful meal. The ingredients are meant to reflect the colors of the Italian flag.

Is Chicken Caprese healthy?

Chicken caprese is generally considered a healthy meal. However, the mozzarella cheese does increase the calorie count and fat content.

What wine goes with Chicken Caprese?

Look for a dry, medium-bodied white wine to pair with this chicken caprese. Some of the best options are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, or Pinot Gris. You can also choose a lighter red, like Pinot Noir or Merlot.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already low-carb and gluten-free as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Dairy-free: Look for a vegan mozzarella variety.
• Sugar-free. Skip the brown sugar.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Go fresh. Choose a block of mozzarella and slice it yourself.
• Get it thin. Be sure to really pound the chicken breasts so they cook evenly.
• Make it fancy. A chiffonade cut takes this dish up a notch.
• Save time. You can easily buy a bottle of balsamic reduction at the grocery store if you aren’t able to make your own.
• Finish it off. Serve this dish with some noodles or rice for a complete meal.

What to Serve with Chicken Caprese?

This dish has it all! But there are a few things you could add to make it even better.

A side dish, like Instant Pot White Rice, completes this meal.

Or, keep it low-carb with Zucchini Noodles or Cauliflower Rice.

Add in some extra nutrients with green sides like Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic or Air Fryer Broccoli. 

More Chicken Breast Recipes

There are so many things you can do with chicken. Try one of these healthy chicken recipes next.

Fancy meals like Olive Garden Chicken Marsala, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Spatchcock Chicken will have you skipping the restaurants.

If you love flavor, you have to try Hot Honey Chicken, Indian Chicken Korma, or Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce.