Baked Caprese Chicken
Baked Caprese Chicken is a comforting dish that showcases tender chicken topped with creamy mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the topping
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds (or 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat each chicken breast dry to eliminate excess moisture for better browning.
- If the chicken is uneven in thickness, use a meat mallet to pound it to an even thickness.
- In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Set aside.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken, ensuring it's well-coated. Rub the seasoning mixture over both sides of the chicken.
Cooking
- Place the seasoned chicken in a baking dish in a single layer and bake for about 15 minutes.
- While the chicken bakes, prepare the mozzarella and tomatoes. Slice the fresh mozzarella and tomatoes into 1/4-inch rounds.
- Pat the tomato slices dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Remove the chicken from the oven, top each breast with mozzarella and tomato slices, then return to the oven for another 8-10 minutes.
- Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and olive oil.
Notes
Ensure chicken is evenly pounded for consistent cooking. Let it rest before serving to enhance tenderness. Use fresh mozzarella for the best texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!