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This one-pan baked Caprese Chicken recipe with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and fresh basil leaves is an easy dinner ready in 30 minutes or less. Perfect for busy weeknights and a family favorite!
Caprese chicken is one of those super easy recipes that I make when I want a quick dinner with easy prep and easy clean-up. While the fresh flavors are perfect for summer, you can easily make this sheet pan dinner year round.
My kids absolutely love this easy baked chicken recipe and request it often. Because it’s so simple, I am always happy to make it!
What is Chicken Caprese
Caprese refers to an Italian salad (Insalata Caprese) from the island of Capri. You pronounce it ka-preh-say. It’s basically tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil, and the colors represent the colors of the Italian flag. If you use garden fresh tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes and add some olive oil, salt and pepper, it’s downright heavenly!
We usually eat it as an appetizer over large crackers. But, you can top chicken breasts with sliced mozzarella, tomatoes and basil and make a meal out of it! Sometimes, we even turn it into caprese quesadillas.
Ingredients
Here are the basic ingredients for Caprese baked chicken. You’ll find full amounts and complete instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken — boneless skinless chicken breasts. Thinner chicken breasts work best.
- Olive oil — adds flavor and is an important element in classic caprese salad recipes
- Italian seasoning — plus salt and black pepper and garlic powder
- Mozzarella cheese — Use fresh mozzarella slices if you can
- Ripe tomatoes — fresh tomato slices, either heirloom tomatoes, hothouse tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- Basil — fresh basil leaves
How to Make Baked Caprese Chicken
First, you add a little olive oil to a sheet pan, and rub some oil over the chicken breasts– foil is optional. Place chicken breasts on the sheet pan, and season it.
Bake the chicken for about 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown and the internal temperature is 165 degrees f, according to an instant-read thermometer. This is the most accurate way to know when chicken is done.
Take the chicken out of the oven. Then, top it with sliced mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. Next, pop it back into the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts. You just want to melt the cheese a little and let the tomatoes heat up a bit.
Now, take the chicken out and top with a drizzle of olive oil Then, top with fresh basil and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Tips for Baked Chicken Caprese
I like to use chicken breasts that are as thin as possible and approximately the same size. They cook faster, more uniformly, and they’re not as filling.
Don’t skip the seasoning even if it seems like a lot. This is what adds the maximum flavor.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. It will keep fresh for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in your microwave or in the oven at 250 – 300 degrees f.
For best results, you may want to add fresh toppings after reheating.
Variations
I also added a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The good stuff can be expensive, and it’s not absolutely necessary. Usually, we just use a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top of the chicken.
If you can’t find fresh mozzarella or it’s too pricey, use the shredded mozzarella cheese, instead! Use chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
For more basil flavor, spread a thin layer of store-bought pesto sauce over the chicken before baking.
Make it a complete one-pan meal by cooking fresh asparagus or broccoli or green beans along with the chicken.
How Long Does Caprese Chicken Take to Bake?
If you use cutlets, the chicken takes as little as 15 minutes to bake. Thicker pieces of chicken take about 20-25 minutes.
What do You Serve with Caprese Chicken?
Because this is such a light dish, I like to keep the sides light, as well. Fresh greens, broccoli or grilled yellow squash and grilled zucchini are all good here. We also like sourdough bread or even a simple side of pasta.
One-Pan Baked Caprese Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts thin, about 1 to 1.5 pounds
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices tomato
- 4 large basil leaves thinly sliced
- additional drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425℉
- Add olive oil to a large sheet pan.
- Place chicken breasts on sheet pan, and rub some olive oil over chicken. Season with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until chicken is 165 degrees internally and juices run clear
- Remove chicken from oven, and place a slice of mozzarella cheese and tomato on each chicken breast. Return to oven and allow cheese to melt slightly. You can turn oven off so that chicken won't over cook
- Remove chicken from oven, drizzle with additional olive oil, then top with sliced basil leaves and a pinch of sea salt and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Made these for dinner tonight and I loved everything about this recipe! The chicken was flavorful and juicy!
Truly elegant dinner! Looks like you took forever to make it! Will be showing this off often!
This is my new go to chicken recipe! I got so tired of making lemon chicken but still wanted a summery chicken recipe and this recipe exceeded all expectations! Almost every time I buy chicken breasts, I make this recipe!
You just made my day! Thank you so much, Alissa!