Description
This Chicken Caprese recipe features juicy, pan-seared chicken breasts topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella, sautéed cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil, finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a delicious Italian-inspired meal perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- kosher salt & 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 Chicken: Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts generously and set them aside.
- Cook 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 the chicken and continue cooking until it is thoroughly cooked or reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pan, place on a plate, and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the sauté pan. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan and sauté until their skins start to soften and wrinkle, about 5 minutes.
- Add Basil and Return Chicken: Stir in chopped basil quickly, then place the chicken breasts back into the pan.
- Add Mozzarella and Melt: Top each chicken breast with 2 slices of fresh buffalo mozzarella. Cover the pan with a lid and allow the cheese to melt, about 1-2 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the chicken with a splash of balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Store leftover chicken caprese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For reheating, warm the dish in the oven at 350°F until heated through to keep the chicken juicy and prevent the mozzarella from becoming rubbery. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts until hot.
- Use fresh buffalo mozzarella for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Adjust balsamic vinegar quantity to taste; balsamic glaze adds a sweeter finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
