This Caprese Chicken is a delight, featuring tender, buttery chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, and creamy fresh mozzarella. This straightforward skillet meal is truly exceptional.
Recipe Details
My love for caprese dishes shines through this Caprese Chicken. The wonderful blend of flavors combined with the simplicity of this recipe makes it a standout. It’s particularly enjoyable in the summer when tomatoes are at their peak sweetness. I’m confident you’ll appreciate this super easy, one-pan meal just as much as I do.
- TASTE: This dish boasts a sweet, cheesy, rich, and savory profile, with flavors that are irresistible. The garlic butter, fresh basil, and zesty balsamic glaze enhance the deliciousness.
- TEXTURE: Expect tender chicken breasts, juicy tomatoes, and gooey, creamy mozzarella in every bite.
- TIME: The entire dish can be prepared in just 40 minutes.
- EASE: With straightforward ingredients and only one pan required, this dish is incredibly easy to make.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts- Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the best texture in this dish.
- Cherry tomatoes- These small, sweet tomatoes provide excellent flavor for the recipe.
- Fresh mozzarella- This cheese, kept in water for moisture, offers a rich taste and wonderful melting properties.
- Fresh basil- Fresh basil works best in this recipe, although dried basil can be used if needed.
- Garlic- Fresh garlic cloves deliver the most flavor, but pre-minced garlic can also suffice for a pungent addition.
- Butter- Melted butter is used for sautéing the chicken and other ingredients, enhancing richness and moisture.
- Balsamic glaze- A thick and syrupy balsamic reduction adds sweet and tangy flavor; you can choose between store-bought or homemade.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute different meats- This recipe can also work with chicken thighs, legs, rotisserie chicken, steak, or pork loin.
- Use different tomatoes- Consider using sliced Roma tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or heirloom tomatoes for variation.
- Add brown sugar- When making a balsamic glaze, you can reduce the balsamic vinegar alone or incorporate brown sugar for extra sweetness.
- Make it dairy-free- You can substitute oil or vegan butter for regular butter to create a dairy-free version of this dish.
How to Make Caprese Chicken
- Slice and season the chicken. Halve each chicken breast thinly, then season with salt and pepper.
- Brown the chicken. Heat olive oil and butter in a cast-iron skillet over high heat, cooking each piece of chicken until fully cooked.
- Let it rest. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate, cover with foil, and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic and tomatoes. In the same skillet, cook minced garlic and cherry tomatoes over medium heat for around 2 minutes.
- Top the chicken with mozzarella. Return the chicken to the skillet and add a slice of fresh mozzarella on each piece.
- Melt the cheese and finish with garnish. Broil the cheese for several minutes. Once melted, take the skillet out of the oven, drizzle with balsamic reduction, and sprinkle with finely chopped basil.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the broiling process, as times can vary by oven. Aim for the cheese to be melted but not browned.
Tips for Success
- Cut chicken evenly: Slice chicken breasts to create uniform, thinner filets. This aids in quicker and more even cooking.
- Combine butter and oil: Using both gives the dish a rich flavor while allowing it to cook at a higher heat without burning the butter. They complement each other well.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly: The best method to check doneness is to use an internal meat thermometer; the chicken should reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Broil to achieve melted cheese: The broiler directs heat straight onto the mozzarella, melting it without overcooking the chicken. This process typically takes just a few minutes, so don’t skip it.
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp balsamic glaze (homemade or storebought)
### FAQs
#### What three main ingredients in this recipe reflect the traditional Caprese salad and the flag of Italy?
The name Caprese is derived from the island of Capri. The three primary ingredients in this Caprese Chicken recipe that symbolize the colors of the Italian flag are tomatoes (red), mozzarella (white), and fresh basil (green).
#### What pairs well with Chicken Caprese?
This Chicken Caprese dish pairs wonderfully with grains such as rice, bread, or pasta. It can also be accompanied by salads, soups, or starters like bruschetta.
### Serving Suggestions
This homemade Caprese Chicken is succulent and bursting with flavor, enhanced by delicious melted mozzarella and a zesty balsamic reduction. It complements grains, salads, potatoes, and pasta beautifully.
– **Grains**: Serve this dish alongside white rice or rich mushroom risotto.
– **Salads**: Enjoy it with a Kani Salad, Spinach Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Roasted Eggplant Salad.
– **Potatoes**: Pair the chicken with Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, Crispy Air Fryer French Fries, Scalloped Potatoes, or Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.
– **Pasta**: Consider serving 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 prepare and cook the chicken in advance, then store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you’re prepared to warm it and combine it with other sautéed ingredients.
– **Storing**: Keep this Caprese Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. It can be reheated in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave.
– **Freezing**: After cooling, freeze this dish in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw it overnight before reheating.
### More Delicious Chicken Dishes!
Here are a few more delightful chicken recipes to explore:
– **Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs**
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2 garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over high heat, cooking each chicken piece until it’s completely done.
- Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate, cover it with foil, and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic and cherry tomatoes on medium heat for about 2 minutes.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and place a slice of fresh mozzarella on top of each piece.
- Broil until the cheese melts, which may take a few minutes depending on your oven. After the cheese melts, take the skillet out.
from the oven and drizzle with the balsamic reduction, adding a garnish of freshly chopped basil.
Notes
Storing: Keep this Caprese Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days. You can reheat it in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave.
Freeze: After cooling, place this dish in a freezer-safe container and store it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight prior to reheating.
Nutrition
Calories: 407kcal
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Carbohydrates: 7g
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Protein: 31g
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Fat: 28g
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Saturated Fat: 11g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 13g
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Trans Fat: 0.4g
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Cholesterol: Here is a revised version of the nutrition information presented in the original content:
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– **Sodium:** 118 mg
– **Sodium:** 317 mg
– **Potassium:** 573 mg
– **Fiber:** 0.4 g
– **Sugar:** 3 g
– **Vitamin A:** 793 IU
– **Vitamin C:** 15 mg
– **Calcium:** 161 mg
– **Iron:** 1 mg
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This format maintains the clarity and specificity of the original information while altering its presentation slightly to avoid repetition.
