Caprese Chicken Skillet
This Caprese Chicken Skillet features juicy pan-seared chicken breasts topped with melted mozzarella, garlic-balsamic tomatoes, and fresh basil. It’s a quick, one-pan dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights—but flavorful enough to impress guests!
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 390kcal
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds)
- salt + pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar or up to ½ cup to taste
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- fresh basil to serve
Instructions
- Pound the chicken – Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness (about ¾ inch thick) for even cooking. Season both sides with salt and pepper.4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, salt + pepper
- Sear the chicken – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and tent with foil.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sauté the tomatoes and garlic – In the same pan, add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.½ pint cherry tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic
- Make the sauce – Stir in balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Let simmer over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3–4 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.½ cup chicken broth, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Finish cooking the chicken – Return the chicken to the pan and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the top to absorb flavor.
- Melt the cheese – Reduce heat to low, add sliced mozzarella over each chicken breast, and cover the skillet. Let cook for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.8 slices mozzarella cheese
- Serve – Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil, and spoon extra sauce over each piece before serving.fresh basil
Notes
- Mozzarella: I prefer shredded mozzarella for fast, even melting, but sliced fresh mozzarella works too—it just takes a bit longer to melt.
- Balsamic vinegar: You can use anywhere from ¼ to ½ cup depending on how bold you want the sauce. Start small and add more to taste.
- Make it lighter: Skip the cheese or use part-skim mozzarella for a lighter version.
- Serving suggestions: Serve over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 19g