Chicken Caprese Skillet: Your New Weeknight Hero

Fresh, cheesy, and bursting with summer vibes—this one-pan wonder is about to become your go-to dinner.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Imagine juicy chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil all mingling in a skillet, finished with a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze. This Chicken Caprese Skillet is like a summer garden party on your plate—quick, vibrant, and stupidly easy to make. It’s perfect for busy nights but fancy enough to impress guests. Plus, it’s a one-pan cleanup dream. Need I say more?

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2. Ingredients

Serves 4

Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), sliced into ½-inch cutlets
Olive Oil: 2 tbsp (I love California Olive Ranch for its fruity kick)
Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
Cherry Tomatoes: 2 cups (or heirloom tomatoes if you’re feeling fancy)
Fresh Mozzarella: 8 oz, sliced (BelGioioso is my go-to)
Fresh Basil: ½ cup, chopped (don’t you dare use dried here!)
Balsamic Glaze: ¼ cup (Nonna Pia’s has the perfect thickness)
Seasoning: 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat

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3. Prep Work (10 mins)

Chicken: Pound cutlets to even thickness (use a rolling pin or meat mallet).
Garlic/Tomatoes: Mince garlic. Halve tomatoes.
Mozzarella: Slice into ¼-inch rounds.
Basil: Chop roughly.

Pro Tip: Keep ingredients in small bowls for easy “dump and cook” flow.

4. Cooking Instructions (20 mins)

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet (cast iron FTW!) over medium-high heat.
Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Cook chicken 4-5 mins per side until golden. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Build Flavor

Add remaining oil to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Toss in tomatoes. Cook 2-3 mins until they start to burst.

Step 3: Cheesy Finish

Return chicken to the skillet. Top with mozzarella slices.
Broil on high for 2-3 mins (watch closely!) until cheese melts and bubbles.

Step 4: Garnish & Glaze

Scatter basil over the skillet. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Secret Tip: Let the skillet sit off the heat for 2 mins before serving—it helps the flavors marry!

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5. Serving Suggestions

Over: Garlicky pasta, couscous, or crusty bread to soak up juices.
With: A simple arugula salad or roasted asparagus.
Garnish: Extra basil leaves and a zig-zag of balsamic.

6. Level-Up Tips

Marinate: Soak chicken in balsamic vinegar + olive oil for 30 mins pre-cooking.
Pesto Swirl: Add dollops of pesto before broiling.
Diet Tweaks: Use vegan mozzarella (Miyoko’s) or swap chicken for chickpeas.

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7. Wrap-Up

This Chicken Caprese Skillet is summer comfort food at its best—bright, cheesy, and ready in 30 minutes. Fun fact: The classic Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella, basil) was created to mimic Italy’s flag colors! Now you’ve got trivia and dinner sorted.