Description
Chicken Caprese is a delightful Italian-inspired dish featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Perfect for a flavorful and elegant dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients to create a fresh and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Caprese Topping
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- 10 large basil leaves, finely chopped
- 8 oz fresh buffalo mozzarella, sliced in 1/2 inch thick slices
- balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, to taste
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts and set aside to allow the flavors to penetrate.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the chicken breasts, cover the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts and continue cooking until the chicken is thoroughly cooked or reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pan and place on a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm while preparing the topping.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, scraping up the browned bits left from the chicken. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and sauté until their skins soften and wrinkle, about 5 minutes.
- Add Basil and Return Chicken: Stir in the chopped basil leaves. Quickly place the chicken breasts back into the pan and top each with 2 slices of mozzarella cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Cover the pan with a lid and let the mozzarella melt for about 1-2 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the dish with a splash of balsamic vinegar or glaze. Serve immediately while hot and melty.
Notes
- Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F until heated through to preserve juiciness and texture of the chicken and cheese.
- Microwaving is possible in short bursts but may result in rubbery cheese.
- Fresh buffalo mozzarella gives the best texture; substitute with fresh mozzarella if unavailable.
- Use balsamic glaze for a sweeter, thicker finish if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
