Caprese Chicken Skillet (Printable)

Italian-inspired skillet with chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil in balsamic glaze. One-pan, 35 minutes.

# What You'll 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

# How To Make It:

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 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Arrange tomato slices on top of the chicken breasts and place mozzarella slices over the tomatoes. Cover the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts.
04 - While the cheese is melting, 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 fresh basil over the chicken and drizzle with the balsamic glaze.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so you're not stuck scrubbing three pots at 9 p.m.
  • The balsamic glaze tastes like you simmered it for an hour, but it takes seven minutes.
  • It looks fancy enough for company but easy enough for a regular Tuesday.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't move the chicken around while it sears, patience gives you that caramelized crust that locks in moisture.
  • If your glaze gets too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of water off the heat to loosen it back up.
  • Covering the skillet is essential for melting the cheese without overcooking the chicken further.
03 -
  • Rub the chicken with a pinch of Italian seasoning before you season with salt and pepper for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one, it holds heat beautifully and gives the chicken an even better sear.
  • If your mozzarella isn't melting fast enough, add a tablespoon of water to the skillet before covering to create a little steam.
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