Italian Caprese Chicken Skillet (Printable)

Italian-inspired chicken topped with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze. Easy one-skillet dinner ready in 35 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 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 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Balsamic Glaze

08 - 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon honey

# Directions:

01 - Season both sides of the chicken breasts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - Reduce skillet heat to medium. Arrange tomato slices on top of the chicken breasts, then place mozzarella slices over the tomatoes. Cover the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts completely.
04 - While the cheese is melting, combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to a syrupy consistency.
05 - Sprinkle fresh basil over the chicken and drizzle generously with the balsamic glaze before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is fast and you can relax after dinner.
  • The balsamic glaze adds a sweet-tangy punch that turns everyday chicken into something memorable.
  • It looks elegant enough for guests but comes together on a busy weeknight without stress.
  • You can taste the freshness in every bite, especially when tomatoes are in season.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of letting the chicken rest for a minute before slicing, it keeps the juices inside instead of all over your cutting board.
  • If your balsamic glaze gets too thick, add a teaspoon of water and swirl it in, it will loosen right up.
  • Covering the skillet is key to melting the mozzarella without overcooking the chicken.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of cutting into the chicken, it keeps all the juices locked in.
  • Make extra balsamic glaze and keep it in a jar, it's incredible on roasted vegetables, salads, and even vanilla ice cream.
  • Let your mozzarella come to room temperature before adding it to the skillet, it melts faster and more evenly.
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