Caprese Chicken Skillet Recipe

Close up of a two cooked chicken breasts in a skillet topped with melted mozzarella and cooked cherry tomatoes and garnished with chopped basil

Juicy chicken breasts are topped with fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, then garnished with fragrant basil for a perfect weeknight meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a simple yet gourmet way to elevate dinner!

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Servings: servings

Calories: 375kcal

Author: Sandra

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups cherry tomatoes Halved
8 ounces fresh mozzarella Sliced. Note 1.
¼ cup fresh basil leaves Chopped. Note 2.
Pesto or balsamic glaze Optional for drizzling. Note 3.

Instructions

Lay the chicken breasts out on a cutting board, cover them with plastic wrap, and use a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to flatten them to an even thickness. This helps them to cook more evenly and quickly.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
salt and pepper, to taste
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165 F (74 C). Note 4.
2 tablespoons olive oil
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Top each chicken breast with slices of mozzarella cheese and a handful of halved cherry tomatoes.
2 cups cherry tomatoes, 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
Cover the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh basil, and drizzle with pesto or balsamic glaze if desired. Serve immediately.
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, Pesto or balsamic glaze

Notes

For this recipe, be sure to use fresh mozzarella. There is difference between fresh and regular mozzarella. The fresh variety is softer and creamier. It also has a higher moisture content which helps the chicken to stay moist when the cheese is melting on top of it. For convenience, you can also buy pre-sliced fresh mozzarella which is perfect for this recipe.
You can use more or less depending on your preference. Dried basil can work in a pinch, but use it sparingly.
If you choose to use a balsamic glaze, make sure that it is a glaze and not straight balsamic vinegar. You can buy prepared balsamic glaze or make it yourself.
It is crucial to not overcook the chicken, but equally crucial not to undercook it! Depending on how thin the breasts are, they can take anywhere from 4-5 minutes per side. If they're super thin, they may not need any longer than 3 minutes per side. I recommend letting the first side cook for 4 minutes, then turn them over and check them at 3 minutes to see if they've reached 165 F (74 C).

Nutrition