Description
This Caprese Chicken Skillet is a delicious and easy one-pan meal combining juicy, perfectly seared chicken breasts with a flavorful balsamic tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Inspired by the classic Italian Caprese salad, this recipe offers a savory, tangy, and cheesy dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Toppings
- ½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar (or up to ½ cup to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil, for serving
Instructions
- Pound the chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness of about ¾ inch to ensure even cooking. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté the tomatoes and garlic: In the same skillet, add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they start to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Pour in the chicken broth while scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to simmer over medium heat until it thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Finish cooking the chicken: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon some sauce over them, and let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Melt the cheese: Reduce the heat to low, place slices of mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast, cover the skillet, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese has melted completely.
- Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and spoon the extra sauce over each chicken breast before serving.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures uniform cooking and prevents dryness.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer a little longer until desired consistency is reached.
- Use fresh mozzarella for best melting results, but pre-sliced mozzarella cheese works well too.
- Adjust the amount of balsamic vinegar to your taste preference for tanginess.
- This dish pairs nicely with a side of pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
