Description
Chicken Caprese is a flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with melted buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, and sautéed cherry tomatoes, finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Sauce and Toppings
- 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 generously and set them aside to allow the seasoning to penetrate.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts, cover the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is cooked through.
- Remove and Rest Chicken: Take the chicken out of the pan, place on a plate, and cover with foil to keep warm and allow juices to redistribute.
- 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 any flavorful bits from the pan. Then 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, then quickly place the chicken breasts back into the pan. Top each piece with 2 slices of buffalo mozzarella.
- Melt the Cheese: Cover the pan with a lid and let the mozzarella melt over 1-2 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle each chicken breast with balsamic vinegar or glaze to taste and serve immediately for a fresh, melty, and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to keep chicken juicy and cheese from becoming rubbery. Microwave in short bursts if in a hurry.
- Use fresh mozzarella for best melting and flavor experience.
- For a thicker sauce, reduce the tomatoes a bit longer while sautéing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
