Description
This One-Pan Chicken Caprese is a simple yet flavorful recipe featuring juicy chicken breasts cooked with fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It combines Italian-inspired ingredients and cooking techniques to deliver a comforting, delicious meal all made in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
Dairy
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and tomatoes.
- Heat Skillet and Oil: Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and warm the olive oil until shimmering.
- Season and Brown Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook each side for 5-7 minutes until nicely browned to lock in flavors.
- Add Garlic and Tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and cherry tomatoes with the chicken in the skillet, spreading them evenly.
- Bake in Oven: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes to allow the chicken to cook through and the tomatoes to soften.
- Add Mozzarella and Basil: Remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle the fresh mozzarella balls and basil leaves over the chicken and tomatoes.
- Melt Cheese: Return the skillet to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the mozzarella melts and gets slightly bubbly.
- Serve: Carefully remove from oven and serve immediately while warm, ensuring a tasty and fresh meal.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet such as cast iron to safely transfer from stovetop to oven.
- You can substitute fresh mozzarella balls with sliced fresh mozzarella if preferred.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving.
- If chicken breasts vary in thickness, consider pounding them to an even size for uniform cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
