Caprese chicken is an easy, flavorful meal that takes just 30 minutes to make, combining juicy chicken with creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and a zesty balsamic glaze.
Caprese Chicken Overview
Caprese chicken is such a delightful dish, featuring sweet tomatoes, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and a lovely balsamic drizzle. It has a light and fresh flavor and pairs beautifully with just about any side dish.
The best part? You can have this meal ready in just 30 minutes! Start by sprinkling the chicken with an easy homemade spice rub, then pop it in the oven for 20 minutes.
While that’s baking, simmer a balsamic reduction on the stove—it only takes about 10 minutes. Once the chicken is almost done, add the mozzarella and tomatoes, and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until everything is melty and delicious.
When the chicken is cooked through, take it out of the oven, sprinkle on some fresh basil, and drizzle the balsamic sauce over top. Now let's get on to the recipe...
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
How To Make Caprese Chicken
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP 1: 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.
STEP 2: Place 4 chicken breasts in a baking dish. Sprinkle the spice rub onto both sides then drizzle the chicken with olive oil.
STEP 3: Place the chicken in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.
STEP 4: 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.
STEP 5: Once the chicken has cooked for 20 minutes, add slices of mozzarella cheese and a tomato slice to each one.
STEP 6: Place back in the oven to bake an additional 5-10 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked reaching an internal temperature of 165°F when poked with a meat thermometer.
STEP 7: 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.
Recipe Tips
- Generously season each raw chicken breast with the spice rub on both sides. This will add more flavor.
- To ensure that your chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F.
- After cooking, let your chicken breast rest for a few minutes before slicing it. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make your chicken more tender and juicy.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate - Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To Reheat - Reheat in the microwave for a minute or two. Or reheat in the oven at 375°F until the chicken is heated through, about 5-10 minutes.
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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 Info
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.
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