Caprese Chicken is a fast, fresh dinner that delivers bright tomato, fragrant basil, and melty mozzarella on juicy chicken breast, ideal for busy weeknights and entertaining alike. Caprese Chicken is a top-performing keyword for home cooks searching for easy Italian-inspired dinners, and this guide goes beyond a basic recipe to give precise technique and smart substitutions. In this guide, you’ll learn how to sear perfectly, finish with a glossy tomato-basil sauce, and melt cheese without overcooking the chicken. For inspiration from other high-protein poultry dishes, see our high protein chicken recipes you need to try.
What Is Caprese Chicken?
Caprese Chicken is a pan-seared chicken breast topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, inspired by the Caprese salad. It highlights fresh ingredients and quick technique, making it pantry-friendly and restaurant-style without the fuss.
This dish balances protein and fresh produce for a satisfying meal, and it adapts well to low-carb and family-friendly diets. It is a great way to use summer tomatoes, or to brighten winter meals with jarred roasted tomatoes.
Quick Facts about Caprese Chicken: bright flavors, 20-30 minutes total cook time, and about 450 kcal per serving depending on portion sizes.
- Nutritional highlights – about 30 g protein per serving, 450 kcal (estimate), fresh basil adds negligible calories but big flavor.
- Prep time – 10 min, Cook time – 15-20 min, Total – 25-30 min.
Caprese Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 800 g chicken breasts Can be butterflied for quicker cooking
- 4 tsp salt Season both sides
- 2 tsp pepper Season both sides
- 1 tbsp olive oil For searing
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter To sauté garlic
- 4 cloves garlic Minced
- 200 g cherry tomatoes Halved
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar To balance sauce
For Topping
- 240 g mozzarella Sliced for melting
- 40 g fresh basil Plus additional for garnish
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil For drizzling at the end
Instructions
Preparation
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
Searing
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
Making the Sauce
- Lower the heat, add butter, minced garlic, and halved cherry tomatoes, and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened.
- Add balsamic vinegar and sugar, reducing for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Final Steps
- Return chicken to the pan, top with sliced mozzarella and fresh basil leaves, cover for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts.
- Garnish the dish with sauce spooned over chicken, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
Nutrition
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps for an evenly cooked chicken breast, a bright tomato topping, and perfectly melted cheese. Each step lists the action and the expected result to guide timing and texture.
- Season the Chicken, Pat dry, then season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper per 200 g breast. Expected result, even seasoning and a dry surface for good sear.
- Sear the Chicken, Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high, sear 3-4 min per side until golden. Expected result, a caramelized crust and internal temp around 60 C (140 F).
- Sauté Garlic & Tomatoes, Lower heat, add 1 tbsp butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 200 g halved cherry tomatoes, cook 3-5 min until softened. Expected result, tomatoes release juices and garlic is fragrant.
- Make the Sauce, Add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and 1 tsp sugar, reduce 1-2 min until slightly thickened. Expected result, a glossy, balanced sauce that clings to chicken.
- Add Chicken & Melt Cheese, Return chicken to pan, top with 60 g sliced mozzarella and fresh basil leaves, cover 2-3 min until cheese melts and chicken reaches 74 C (165 F). Expected result, juicy chicken with melted cheese and warm basil.
- Garnish & Serve, Spoon sauce over chicken, finish with 10 g fresh basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Expected result, bright finish and plating-ready look.
Variations & Substitutes
Caprese Chicken adapts well to diet preferences and pantry limits. Each swap changes flavor, cooking time, and nutrition.
- Low-carb, Use skin-on chicken thighs, sear longer, more fat, about +50 kcal per 100 g.
- Vegetarian, Use thick-sliced portobello or halloumi, shorter cook time, similar savory profile.
- Dairy-free, Replace mozzarella with a slice of avocado or dairy-free cheese, reduces saturated fat by about 50% per serving.
- Tomato alternatives, Use 200 g canned diced tomatoes, simmer 4-6 min, slightly more liquid, deeper flavor.
Chef tip, for faster weeknight service, butterfly chicken breasts to 150-200 g pieces, cook 2-3 min per side for best speed and texture.
Mistakes to Avoid
Beginner cooks often overcook chicken or under-season, which reduces juiciness and flavor. Use these checks to avoid common pitfalls.
Checklist of errors and fixes:
- Under-seasoned chicken, fix by seasoning 10 min before cooking to let salt penetrate.
- Overcrowding the pan, fix by cooking in batches, avoid steaming.
- Adding cheese too early, fix by melting at end to avoid rubbery texture.
- High heat without oil, fix by preheating pan and using a neutral oil with a 200 C smoke point.
- Not checking doneness, fix by using a thermometer, aim for 74 C (165 F) internal temp.
Storage, Reuse
Store leftover Caprese Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze portions for up to 2 months. Reheat gently to avoid toughening proteins.
- Refrigerator, 3 days at 4 C.
- Freezer, 2 months at -18 C, thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
- Reheat method, oven 160 C for 10-12 min or covered skillet over low heat until 74 C.
Related Recipes / See Also
If you love this, try our best chicken enchiladas recipes, explore a creamy option with our creamy white chicken chili collection, or savor a rich pasta with blackened chicken alfredo and the alfredo sauce variation.
Conclusion
Caprese Chicken is a high-flavor, low-stress dinner that scales for families or date nights, offering fresh ingredients and quick technique. Use the step-by-step temps and chef tips to keep chicken juicy and sauce bright, and customize with the variations to fit your pantry and diet.
