This Baked Caprese Chicken combines the Italian flavors of garlic,balsamic, tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil into one easy skillet recipe.
Baked Caprese chicken is nothing less than delicious and delightful! It’s fancy enough for company but simple enough for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will go crazy for!It’s quick to prepare, and ready in under 40 minutes.
What is Baked Chicken Caprese?
Caprese dishes are a delicious and wonderful dish. They are usually made with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil, giving you great flavors that go with almost anything! Caprese dishes are essentially Caprese salad, a popular Italian dish consisting of fresh tomato slices, basil leaves, seasoned with olive oil, salt, and mozzarella cheese slices. This salad is very popular in Italy and around the world, and is known for its simple ingredients and delicious taste. This Chicken Caprese recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
Having new and easy recipes on hand on busy nights is my secret to success. It keeps our dinner menu constantly changing, and we never get bored! This is definitely one of those recipes where I like to always have everything on hand. I can whip it up quickly, but it feels like I’ve spent all day in the kitchen! It’s a great dish that even novice cooks can pull off. Try it alone or add some pasta and vegetables and you’ll have an unforgettable meal!
Ingredients for Chicken Caprese
Easy and fresh are exactly what I love about this dish! You can even use a few of the ingredients from your garden if you have those on hand making this a complete labor of love! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
Garlic: Mince up your garlic clove. If you don’t have any that are fresh, use the minced garlic from your fridge. 1/2 tsp equals about 1 clove of garlic.
Olive oil: I like olive oil because of the taste but if you only have vegetable oil, you can use that instead!
Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breast work the best for this dish.
Salt: Brings out all of the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Pepper: Just use a dash of pepper, this recipe doesn’t need any heat.
Balsamic vinegar: Used as a delicious glaze on top!
Italian seasoning: Try making this homemade italian seasoning. It will definitely elevate this recipe to the next level!
Honey: Adds a touch of natural sweeteness to counter the vinegar.
Basil: Garnish with fresh basil on top! It brings on a fresh flavor!
Large tomatoes: Slice up the tomatoes so they can go on top of the chicken.
Cherry tomatoes: This part is easy, you will just be using these whole! No chopping or slicing needed!
Mozerella cheese: Most fresh mozerella comes pre-sliced. if it doesn’t, slice up into thin pieces.
How to Make Caprese Chicken
Craving a delicious, wholesome meal without the fuss? This Baked Caprese Chicken comes together incredibly fast! You’ll be ready to eat in just 45 minutes total – a mere 10 minutes of prep followed by 35 minutes in the oven. It’s the epitome of simple and easy!
Prep & Preheat: Get your oven heating to 400°F (200°C). Arrange your chicken breasts in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Mix the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, minced garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Assemble & Bake: Pour the whisked mixture over the chicken. Scatter cherry tomatoes around the chicken and place tomato slices directly on top of each breast.
Cook to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes. During the final 5 minutes, add your cheese to melt until bubbly. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serve Fresh: Finish by sprinkling with fresh chopped basil for that perfect Caprese aroma.
Variation Ideas
Pasta: Add this dish to some pasta. It will really envelope that Italian culture and you will love how it fills you right up!
Make it a meal: I especially love to have some sides with this chicken that really complement this as the main dish. I think that these potatoes and this salad are fantastic is doing just tha!
Open faced sandwich: Try toasting some french bread and putting this on top! An open faced sandwich is a delicious way to make this meal an informal lunch option!
If you are looking for a way to add a little bit more to this Caprese chicken, go ahead and try a couple of these ways to make this meal your own! Get creative, your family will love it!
Tips for Getting Your Chicken Just Right
Making sure that you know the basics of cooking chicken is essential to having your recipes turn out as best as they can! Here are a few tips on how to make the most amazing baked Caprese chicken possible!
Let it rest: If you want your meat to retain that juice that you worked so hard for while baking, you need to let your meat rest after you take it out of the oven. Don’t cut into it for about 10 minutes after cooking. Resting allows the chicken to soak in all of the juices and not dry out!
Dry chicken: When people bake chicken, the number one compaint I hear is that it came out dry. To avoid this, you want to cook chicken at a higher temperature. This recipe calls for an oven temperature of 400 degrees. Make sure to follow that exactly and it will allow your chicken to sweat and create natural juices that give you that juicy, baked Caprese chicken!
How do I know when the chicken is done? You definitely don’t want to be eating undercooked chicken. You can use an internal meat thermometer to check if your chicken is cooked all the way through. Chicken that is done when it reaches 165 degrees.
How to Store Baked Caprese Chicken
Refrigerator: Pop any remaining chicken in an airtight container (a glass one with a lid or a sturdy freezer bag works well). It’ll stay fresh in your fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely first. For best results, remove any fresh mozzarella and tomatoes before freezing, as they don’t hold up well. Place the chicken in a freezer-safe zip-top bag, squeeze out as much air as you can, and seal it tight. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to label the bag with the date so you know when it’s good through!
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight. Once it’s thawed, transfer it to a casserole dish. Then, add fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, and basil just like you did originally. Bake it at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if the chicken is done?
The chicken was fully cooked in the 30 minutes. However, to check you can use a thermometer and it is at 165 degrees F.
You can also cut it open to make sure it is cooked all the way through, if the juices run clear then it is cooked.
What size should the cut potatoes be?
The potatoes should be cut small pieces (about 3/4 to 1 inch cubes).
How do I know the potatoes are done roasting?
You’ll know when the potatoes are caramelized on multiple sides and tender when a fork is put through.
Can I use another kind of potato in this recipe?
You can use any type of potato that you like! I love to use baby potatoes when roasting with thyme. However, any potato will work and even sweet potatoes would be delicious!