This Caprese chicken is a juicy baked chicken breast topped with mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil, all drizzled with a sweet balsamic glaze. It looks gourmet, but it's actually an easy one-pan dinner ready in just 30 minutes. 👇👇
It's a family-friendly meal that works for busy weeknights, but also feels fancy enough for date night or when guests are over.
What Makes This Recipe Great
- Versatile - serve it with pasta, salad, veggies, or bread.
- Restaurant quality at home - the fresh basil + balsamic glaze combo tastes like something you'd order out.
- Fast & easy - just 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Beginner-friendly - step-by-step guidance, no special skills needed.
- One dish = less cleanup - everything bakes in the same pan.
Recipe Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- olive oil - to drizzle over chicken
Chicken Spice Rub:
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Balsamic Reduction:
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar - granulated sugar or honey
Chicken Toppings:
- 4 oz mozzarella, sliced - or 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 large tomato, sliced thin - or 1-2 cups sliced cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup fresh basil - sliced into strips
🎥 Watch How To Make Caprese Chicken 👇👇
See how to layer juicy chicken, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Kitchen Equipment Used
- 9x13 baking dish - fits 4 chicken breasts comfortably.
- Small saucepan - for the balsamic reduction.
- Meat thermometer - ensures chicken is cooked perfectly (165°F).
- Sharp knife + cutting board - for slicing tomato and basil.
Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP 1: Preheat & Mix Seasoning
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper.
STEP 2: Season the Chicken
Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts. Place in a baking dish, rub both sides with seasoning mix, then drizzle with 1 Tbsp olive oil.
👉 Beginner tip: Drying chicken first helps the seasoning stick better.
STEP 3: Bake the Chicken
Bake for 20 minutes uncovered. This gives the chicken a head start before adding toppings.
STEP 4: Make the Balsamic Reduction
In a saucepan, combine ½ cup balsamic vinegar + 2 Tbsp brown sugar. Simmer over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is syrupy and coats the back of a spoon.
👉 The glaze thickens more as it cools - don't overcook.
STEP 5: Add Cheese & Tomatoes
Remove chicken from oven. Top each breast with a slice of mozzarella and a slice of tomato (or shredded mozzarella + cherry tomatoes).
Return to oven for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and chicken reaches 165°F.
STEP 6: Garnish & Serve
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with ½ cup fresh basil and drizzle the balsamic reduction on top. Serve immediately.
About Caprese
The word Caprese comes from the island of Capri, Italy, where the classic Caprese salad was created. That salad is made of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. This chicken recipe takes those same flavors and layers them over juicy baked chicken breasts, turning a simple Italian salad into a hearty family dinner.
Variations & Substitutions
- Skillet Version: Sear chicken in an oven-safe skillet for 3-4 minutes per side. Add cheese and tomato, then cover with a lid until melted.
- Grilled Caprese Chicken: Perfect for summer. Grill chicken 6-8 minutes per side, then top with cheese and tomato. Cover until cheese melts.
- Caprese Chicken Pasta: Slice cooked chicken and serve it over spaghetti tossed with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan.
- Pesto Twist: Spread a thin layer of pesto on each chicken breast before adding cheese and tomato. Adds a herby kick.
What To Serve With Caprese Chicken
This recipe pairs beautifully with simple sides. Try:
- Rice or quinoa: Great for soaking up extra balsamic glaze.
- Pasta: Angel hair, spaghetti, or penne tossed with olive oil and parmesan.
- Salad: A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette.
- Garlic bread: Classic side to soak up the glaze.
- Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, green beans, or zucchini.
Extra Beginner Tips
- Slice mozzarella with a serrated knife - it won't squish or stick.
- Chiffonade basil easily - stack the leaves, roll them like a cigar, then slice thinly.
- Avoid dry chicken - always check with a meat thermometer (165°F) and let chicken rest before cutting.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - leave space between chicken breasts so they bake evenly.
Recipe Tips
- Season generously - the spice rub brings the flavor to life.
- Check doneness with a thermometer - chicken is perfect at 165°F.
- Use fresh mozzarella if you can - it melts beautifully.
- Make the glaze ahead - store in fridge and reheat gently.
- Variation idea: Try brushing chicken with pesto before topping.
Serving Ideas
- Serve over pasta for a hearty dinner.
- Pair with salad and bread for a light Italian meal.
- Slice into a Caprese chicken sandwich.
- Serve over zucchini noodles for a lighter option.
- Add to a grain bowl with quinoa and veggies.
How To Store Leftovers
- Fridge: Store cooled chicken in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in oven at 375°F for 5-10 minutes, or microwave briefly.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken without toppings. Add cheese and tomato fresh when reheating.
FAQs
Baked chicken topped with mozzarella, tomato slices, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze.
Yes - it's naturally gluten-free and lower in carbs.
Yes. Bake chicken and make the glaze in advance. Add cheese, tomato, and basil just before serving.
Yes. Cook chicken and freeze without toppings. Add fresh cheese, tomato, and basil when reheating.
Absolutely! Store-bought glaze works if you're short on time.
Yes, just slice them in half and scatter over the chicken.
Pasta, rice, roasted veggies, or a simple salad all pair perfectly.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- olive oil - to drizzle over chicken
Chicken Spice Rub
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Balsamic Reduction
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
Chicken Toppings
- 4 oz mozzarella - sliced
- 1 large tomato - sliced thin
- ½ cup fresh basil - sliced into strips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a small bowl mix together the chicken spice rub: 1 tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper.
- Place 4 chicken breasts in a baking dish. Sprinkle the spice rub onto both sides then drizzle the chicken with olive oil.
- Place the chicken in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.
- While the chicken is baking, make the balsamic reduction. Add ½ cup balsamic vinegar and 2 Tbsp brown sugar to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally. Let this cook for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken and form a syrup-like consistency. Note: The sauce will thicken more as it cools down.
- Once the chicken has cooked for 20 minutes, add slices of mozzarella cheese and a tomato slice to each one.
- Place back in the oven to bake an additional 5-10 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked reaching an internal temperature of 165F when poked with a meat thermometer.
- Add the chicken to serving plates. Top with ½ cup sliced basil and drizzle the balsamic sauce on top with a spoon. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to allow the juices inside to redistribute. Now the chicken is ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-calculated and meant to be an approximation only.
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