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    Ingredients » Recipes » Chicken

    Easy Caprese Chicken

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: May 29, 2020 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    This Easy Caprese Chicken recipe with tomato, mozzarella and basil bakes on a sheet pan or in the air fryer in just 20 minutes. A light, quick summer dinner! via @meamel

    This Easy Caprese Chicken recipe with tomato, mozzarella and basil bakes on a sheet pan or in the air fryer in just 20 minutes. A light, quick summer dinner!

    Jump to Recipe -
    caprese chicken with mozzarella, tomato slices and basil leaves on a platter

    If you're looking for a quick and easy chicken recipe that's light and fresh, try this easy recipe for Chicken Caprise. You can make it on a sheet pan or in the air fryer, so clean up is super fast, too!

    We love snacking on caprese crackers or caprese quesadillas in the summer. So, I turned our favorite appetizer into an easy chicken dinner!

    What is Chicken Caprese

    Caprese refers to an Italian salad (Insalata Caprese). It's basically tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil.

    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!

    How to Make Chicken with Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Basil

    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.

    First, you add a little olive oil to a sheet pan, and rub some over the chicken breasts-- foil is optional. Then, season the chicken, and bake it for about 18 to 20 minutes.

    seasoned uncooked chicken breasts on a sheet pan

    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. You just want to melt the cheese a little and let the tomatoes heat up a bit.

    baked chicken breasts with fresh mozzarella and tomato slices on a sheet pan

    Now, take the chicken out and top with a drizzle of olive oil Then, top with fresh basil and a pinch of salt and pepper.

    That's it! You have a quick and easy chicken dinner that's light, fresh and pretty dang healthy!

    chicken breasts topped with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil on a sheet pan

    I also added a touch of balsamic vinegar. The good stuff can be expensive, and it's not necessary.

    Usually, we just use extra virgin olive oil. If you can't find fresh mozzarella or it's too pricey, use the shredded cheese, instead!

    chicken breasts topped with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil leaves on a platter

    Baked Easy Caprese Chicken Recipe

    caprese chicken with mozzarella, tomato slices and basil leaves on a platter

    Easy Caprese Chicken

    Published by Dee
    This Easy Caprese Chicken recipe with tomato, mozzarella and basil bakes on a sheet pan or in the air fryer in just 20 minutes. A light, quick summer dinner!
    5 from 9 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 252 kcal

    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 sliced
    • additional drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
    • 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
      seasoned uncooked chicken breasts on a sheet pan
    • 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
      baked chicken breasts with fresh mozzarella and tomato slices on a sheet pan
    • 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

    Air Fryer instructions

    • Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, and season both sides. Air fry at 390 degrees for 18 minutes or until internal temperature is 165. Air fryer times may vary. Top with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil and
    • Top with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, plus additional olive oil, salt and pepper, and serve. If you have an Instant Pot Vortex plus or Omni plus or similar oven style air fryer, you can use the bake feature or return to air fryer to allow cheese to melt using keep warm or bake feature.

    Notes

    Thin chicken breasts that are about the same size will cook in 18 to 20 minutes. If using larger ones, bake time will be longer.
    Use shredded mozzarella cheese if you can't find fresh mozzarella.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 31gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 892mgPotassium: 504mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 471IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 151mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    We like to serve baked chicken caprese with air fryer roasted potatoes , Air Fryer Broccoli or baked summer squash and zucchini. You can serve it over salad for an even lighter meal.

    baked caprese chicken on a white platter
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Alissa says

      June 12, 2020 at 1:17 am

      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!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 12, 2020 at 1:21 pm

        You just made my day! Thank you so much, Alissa!

    2. James says

      June 08, 2020 at 3:11 pm

      Made this yesterday and everybody loved it. Truly light for the summer heat. Will be making it again very soon.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 10, 2020 at 12:14 am

        That's great, James! Thank you so much!

    3. Perry says

      June 03, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      Caprese is my favorite thing ever, so I was excited to give this one a try. Well worth it! Was delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 03, 2020 at 10:32 pm

        Thank you so much, Perry! I'm thrilled that you liked it!

    4. Suzy says

      June 03, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      The flavor is so good! Love how moist the chicken bakes up too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 14, 2020 at 9:26 pm

        Thank you, Suzy! I'm glad you liked it!

    5. Kimberly says

      June 03, 2020 at 9:33 am

      So easy and so good, perfect weeknight recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 14, 2020 at 9:27 pm

        Thanks, Kimberly! I'm glad you enjoyed the chicken!

    6. Beti says

      June 03, 2020 at 8:29 am

      mmm..this caprese chicken looks incredibly delicious!! A must try!

      Reply
    7. katerina says

      June 03, 2020 at 8:29 am

      I love how easy and delicious this caprese chicken is! I can't wait to make it for my family!

      Reply
    8. Toni says

      June 03, 2020 at 8:21 am

      This is my absolutely favorite salad and I love that you turned it into a main dish recipe! Perfect for summer.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 10, 2020 at 11:59 am

        Thanks, Toni! It's one of my favorites, too!

    9. Erin says

      June 02, 2020 at 6:09 pm

      This Easy Caprese Chicken looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!5 stars

      Reply
    10. Sara Welch says

      June 02, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      This is everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! Looking forward to enjoying this for dinner tonight, indeed!5 stars

      Reply
    11. Beth says

      June 02, 2020 at 12:20 pm

      I love this recipe! It's so delicious and full of flavor! My family loves this recipe! I can't wait to make this again!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 02, 2020 at 12:38 pm

        Thank you, Beth! I'm so happy everyone liked the chicken!

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