Caprese Chicken Italian Dish (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken with tomatoes, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and tangy balsamic glaze cooked effortlessly in one pan.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Caprese Topping

05 - 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
06 - 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
07 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Balsamic Glaze

08 - ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon honey

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Arrange tomato slices atop the seared chicken breasts, then layer with sliced mozzarella. Cover skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese has melted.
04 - Combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a syrupy consistency.
05 - Sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves over the chicken and drizzle with the prepared balsamic glaze before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup takes about two minutes and you can actually relax after dinner.
  • The balsamic glaze adds a restaurant-quality finish without any fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
  • It looks impressive enough for guests but comes together so quickly you can make it on a random Tuesday.
  • The flavors are bright and fresh, not heavy, so you feel satisfied without that post-dinner slump.
02 -
  • Do not move the chicken around while it is searing, letting it sit undisturbed is how you get that golden crust instead of pale, steamed meat.
  • If your mozzarella is not melting evenly, add a splash of water to the skillet before covering it, the steam helps it soften faster.
  • Watch the balsamic glaze closely in the last minute, it can go from perfect to burnt surprisingly fast once it starts to thicken.
03 -
  • Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking so they cook through at the same rate and stay tender.
  • If you want extra flavor, rub the chicken with a pinch of Italian seasoning or garlic powder before you season it with salt and pepper.
  • Make a double batch of the balsamic glaze and keep it in a jar, it is incredible drizzled over roasted vegetables, salads, or even vanilla ice cream.
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