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Caprese Chicken With Tomatoes And Basil
Laura

Caprese Chicken With Tomatoes And Basil

Juicy chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil in a balsamic glaze. This Italian-inspired dish comes together in 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts about 6 ounces each, pounded to even thickness
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced into 8 rounds
  • 2 large vine-ripened tomatoes sliced into 8 rounds
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze for drizzling

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet
  • Meat mallet
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Cutting board
  • sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. If chicken breasts are thick, slice horizontally and pound to 1/2-inch thickness. Pat dry and season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove to plate.
  3. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and minced garlic to skillet. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add balsamic vinegar and honey, scraping up browned bits.
  4. Return chicken to skillet. Top each breast with fresh mozzarella slice and tomato slice. Arrange remaining tomatoes around chicken.
  5. Bake 8-10 minutes until cheese melts and chicken reaches 165°F. Broil 1-2 minutes for extra browning if desired.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Pound chicken to even thickness for uniform cooking
  • Use fresh mozzarella packed in water for best melting
  • Choose firm, ripe tomatoes that hold their shape
  • Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving
  • Don't skip the balsamic glaze for authentic flavor