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My chicken caprese recipe features Italian-seasoned chicken breasts seared and topped with melty mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and balsamic glaze. It’s my family’s favorite 20-minute meal!
If you love quick chicken dinners like we do, try my breaded chicken cutlets, honey garlic chicken thighs, or grilled chicken drumsticks next!
Table of Contents
We probably turn to chicken breasts more than any other protein because it’s quick to cook, inexpensive, and easy to doctor up with all sorts of flavors.
When we’re craving Italian, my mind instantly goes to chicken Milanese or this caprese chicken recipe. It’s a one-skillet dinner made with seared chicken breasts and a handful of simple, fresh Italian ingredients.
Why I love this recipe
- Simple yet elegant. Like marry me chicken, this is the kind of dinner I usually make on hectic weeknights, though it’s special enough for date night or when I’m hosting friends.
- Layers of flavors and textures. The chicken is crisp yet juicy, and the addition of creamy mozzarella and a tangy, sweet balsamic glaze makes for a complex and flavorful dish.
- Oven option. I prefer using the skillet to cook this dish, but it can easily be oven-baked.
Key ingredients
- Chicken breasts. I prefer using boneless skinless chicken breasts as they cook evenly and absorb flavor well. Choose ones that are the same size in thickness. If you’d rather use chicken thighs, plan on extending the cooking time by 5-7 minutes.
- Italian seasoning. Use store-bought or a homemade blend of dried oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, and marjoram.
- Kosher salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Olive oil. To sear the chicken.
- Balsamic vinegar. For a sweet-tart flavor. If possible, I suggest seeking out good-quality aged balsamic vinegar, preferably from Modena, Italy.
- Brown sugar. Just a pinch to help the vinegar thicken to a glaze consistency.
- Garlic cloves. I try to use freshly minced garlic here as it has the best flavor, though bottled garlic can work.
- Cherry tomatoes. Cut in half or quarters, depending on their size. Grape tomatoes also work.
- Basil. Fresh basil is a must!
- Mozzarella. Look for a ball or log of fresh mozzarella packed in water or brine. This variety has a soft and creamy texture and melts beautifully over the chicken.
How to make chicken caprese
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Season the chicken on both sides.
Step 2- Sear the chicken. Cook it in a hot skillet until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Step 3- Make the balsamic reduction. Add the vinegar, sugar, and garlic to the pan and cook briefly. Add the tomatoes, cook for several minutes, then add the basil and cook until wilted.
Step 4- Assemble. Add the chicken to the skillet and top with cheese. Cover the pan and cook until the cheese melts.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Save time. When I’m running low on time, I’ll skip reducing the balsamic myself and just buy balsamic glaze.
- You’ll know the chicken is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Use a meat thermometer to double check.
- Pound the chicken breasts. You want them crispy on the outside and cooked evenly in the center. If your chicken is quite thick, I suggest butterflying it (slicing the meat in half), wrapping it in plastic wrap, and pounding it until it’s ¼ inches thick.
- Swap the tomatoes. When the tomatoes at my grocery store aren’t in season, I’ll swap them for sundried tomatoes packed in oil.
Frequently asked questions
Simple carbs like rice or pasta work well, as does a thick slice of air fryer garlic bread to soak up the incredible juices and sauce. For a lighter side, try sautéed asparagus or zucchini fritters.
Yes! Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), grease a baking dish, and season and sear the chicken as instructed. Arrange the chicken, tomatoes, basil, and sauce in the dish, bake for 20-25 minutes, add cheese, broil for 5 minutes, and ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
Chicken Caprese
Video
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 tablespoons basil sliced
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a cooking pan and cook the chicken until golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add the balsamic vinegar to the pan, along with the sugar and garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook them for 5 minutes then add the basil and cook for another minute.
- Return the chicken to the pan and top it with mozzarella slices. Cover the pan with a lid and cook until the cheese melts over the chicken.
- Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken and serve with some fresh basil leaves.
Notes
Nutrition
More Italian-style chicken recipes to try
Originally published August 2023, updated and republished January 2025
