Description
Baked chicken caprese brings fresh Italian flavors straight to your dinner table with juicy chicken, melted mozzarella, and ripe tomatoes. Preparing this dish feels like a quick Mediterranean escape that delights your taste buds with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
- 2 large ripe tomatoes
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Seasonings:
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Crank your oven to a toasty 400°F and grab a baking dish that will comfortably fit 4 chicken breasts.
- Spritz the baking dish with nonstick spray. Generously season each 6-ounce chicken breast with a pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper.
- Layer the seasoned chicken breasts in the dish, spreading 2 ounces of fresh mozzarella slices across the top of each piece. Scatter ½ cup of diced tomatoes evenly over the cheese.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil across the chicken, ensuring each piece gets a light coating.
- Tear ¼ cup of fresh basil leaves and distribute them artfully over each chicken breast. Splash ½ tablespoon of balsamic vinegar over the entire dish.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken reaches a safe 165°F internal temperature and the mozzarella turns deliciously golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Fresh mozzarella melts beautifully and creates a creamier texture compared to pre-shredded varieties, so grab a ball from the cheese section.
- Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for the most vibrant flavor and best results with this simple dish.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to help the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender and preventing dryness.
- For a low-carb version, skip any additional sides and serve the chicken directly with a crisp green salad on the plate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg