Chicken Caprese

Seasoned chicken breasts are cooked in white wine with garlic butter and cherry tomatoes, topped with mozzarella cheese, crumbled bacon, and basil leaves for easy Italian-inspired flavor without the fuss.

Flavor: Juicy, cheesy, tangy, and herbaceous – like a classic Caprese salad but warm and hearty.
Skill Level: Easy. This recipe uses basic pan-searing and oven baking to create a fresh and fast dinner with only one pan to wash.
Serving Suggestions: This caprese chicken recipe pairs great with pasta, crusty bread, rice, or a nice side salad.
Freezing: While best served fresh, the cooked chicken can be frozen without the toppings.

tomatoes , mozzarella , chicken , butter , wine , garlic , basil , parmesan , bacon , seasoning with labels to make Easy Chicken Caprese

Ingredient Tips for Chicken Caprese

Chicken: Choose the same-sized boneless, skinless breasts so they cook evenly. Skinless, boneless chicken cutlets or thighs can also be used.
Bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a salty balance to the creamy cheese and tangy sauce. Pancetta can be used for the same flavor, but will need a little oil added to the chicken in Step 2.
Tomatoes: Choose cherry or grape tomatoes to add visual appeal to this dish.
Cheese: For convenience, we use shredded mozzarella. It melts beautifully and adds a creaminess to this dish. You can also use fresh mozzarella cheese, but slice it into thin, even rounds before using.
Basil: Fresh basil leaves are what truly give this dish its signature fresh flavor, but dried basil can be used as a substitute in a pinch.

Favorite Variations

Burrata has a similar texture to mozzarella and makes a great substitute.
This dish is great for adding extra veggies like sliced mushrooms, chopped spinach, or red onion in Step 5.
Finish it off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze or a homemade balsamic reduction for a tangy finish.

adding tomatoes to cooked chicken in pan to make Easy Chicken Caprese

If you’re chicken breasts aren’t the same size, try pounding them to an even thickness for even cooking!
Adding the tomatoes towards the end of cooking allows them to soften but not fully burst for maximum juicy tomato flavor in each bite.
Be sure to broil the mozzarella before serving to allow it to fully melt and brown slightly, adding extra flavor.

Storing Chicken Caprese

Keep leftover chicken caprese in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy it cold or heat it in the microwave.

Freeze leftover chicken in a zippered bag for up to one month and thaw in the refrigerator before enjoying on a bed of greens.

Delicious Italian Style Chicken Recipes

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This fresh and easy chicken caprese is a one-skillet dinner that’s elegant and full of flavor.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

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In a 10″ skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, reserving the drippings.
Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Heat bacon drippings over medium high heat and add chicken. Brown 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the pan and set on a plate.
In the same skillet, add 2 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Stir in wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Whisk in butter.
Add the chicken breasts back to the skillet along with the cherry tomatoes. Simmer the chicken and tomatoes uncovered for about 5-7 minutes, or until the tomatoes are cooked and slightly softened.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken and tomatoes. Place the skillet under the broiler for 1 minute, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with crumbled bacon, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves.

Cook time can vary based on thickness of the chicken breasts. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Do not overcook.
Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

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