Quick 15-Minute Caprese Chicken Recipe Easy Homemade Mozzarella Delight
A fresh and flavorful Caprese chicken recipe ready in just 15 minutes, featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each), pounded to even thickness
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced thin
- 6 oz (170 g) fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 8–10 fresh basil leaves, torn or whole
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Pound them evenly to about ½ inch (1.3 cm) thickness. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning if using. (About 5 minutes)
- In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic with the olive oil to create a garlic-infused oil mixture. (1 minute)
- Heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic olive oil mixture to the pan. Immediately place the chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side without moving them to form a crust. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes on the other side. (8 minutes total)
- After flipping, layer the sliced tomatoes evenly over each chicken breast, then top with slices of fresh mozzarella. Cover the pan loosely with a lid or foil to help the cheese melt. Cook for an additional 2 minutes or until the cheese is gooey and slightly melted. (2 minutes)
- Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle fresh torn basil leaves on top. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired. (1 minute)
- Transfer each chicken breast to a plate, spooning any pan juices over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken; cook in batches if needed to keep a perfect sear. Watch the cheese closely as it melts to avoid overcooking—it should be melty but still hold its shape. Slice mozzarella thinner for faster melting if thick. Let chicken rest a couple of minutes after cooking to keep it juicy. For dairy-free, use plant-based mozzarella and omit balsamic glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 350400
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 57
- Protein: 40
Keywords: Caprese chicken, quick chicken recipe, mozzarella chicken, easy dinner, Italian chicken, basil chicken, healthy chicken recipe