Easy Chicken Caprese
20-minute Chicken Caprese recipe with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes. Make it indoors in your skillet or griddle, or fire up the grill, if you like!
Ingredients
- 1 Ib boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ Kosher salt
- ▢ Black pepper
- ▢ Extra virgin olive oil
- ▢ Basil pesto Homemade or store-bought
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese low sodium, (about ¼ to ½ inch in thickness each)
- 1 tomato sliced
- 2 tbsp Balsamic glaze or balsamic reduction I used this one
- 8 Fresh basil leaves leave 4 whole and slice the rest into ribbons
Instructions
- If the chicken breasts are large and thick, cut them horizontally through the middle to make thinner cutlets or pieces. If you like, use a kitchen mallet to tenderize and flatten the chicken breasts before cooking. This helps them quick quickly and evenly.
- Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat an indoor griddle or pan over high heat. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil to coat bottom of pan. (See notes if you prefer to use an outdoor grill).
- Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until done (chicken's internal temperature should register 165 degrees F).
- In the last couple minutes or so of cooking, top each piece of chicken with a bit of the basil pesto then add a mozzarella slice on top.
- Remove from heat. Add fresh basil leaves and tomato slices on top of each chicken piece and finish with a little balsamic reduction (or balsamic glaze). Finall
Notes
- To use an outdoor gas grill: Oil the grates and preheat the grill on medium-high heat. Grill chicken on each side for 3 to 5 minutes or until internal temperature registers 165 degrees F. Follow rest of the recipe as written.
- To make your own homemade basil pesto: If you have fresh basil, you can make this pesto recipe in advance and keep it in the fridge to use with this chicken or other items.
- To Make Own Balsamic Glaze: pour 2 cups balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vinegar thickens and is reduced to about ½ cup (20 to 25 minutes.) Set aside to cool for 10 minutes; it will continue to thicken.
- What to Serve Along? Chicken caprese works well with pasta or your favorite grain (check out this pesto pasta recipe, which will complement this chicken very well, since it uses the same elements). You can also just serve it with plain orzo or your favorite grain. I like to start the meal with something bright still like a bowl of this fresh cucumber salad or Mediterranean Three Bean Salad (the bean salad is hefty enough that you can probably just make it your side and skip the pasta/grain option.)