Description
This Caprese Chicken recipe is a delightful blend of Italian flavors featuring tender grilled chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, aromatic basil leaves, and a drizzle of aged balsamic glaze. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory seasonings and fresh ingredients, making it a quick and elegant meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 chicken breasts (5-7 oz each), pounded to even thickness
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons sea or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced into 8 even pieces
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced into ½” slices
- Fresh basil leaves, to taste
- Aged balsamic or balsamic glaze, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pound each chicken breast to an even thickness of slightly less than 1 inch to ensure uniform cooking.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cracked black pepper. Brush each chicken breast with olive oil, then sprinkle evenly with the seasoning blend, coating all sides.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat a grill to high heat. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 155°F, indicating the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Add toppings: Top each grilled chicken breast with two slices of fresh mozzarella. Continue grilling the chicken with the cheese on top until the mozzarella melts and the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Assemble and serve: Transfer the chicken breasts to a serving platter. Top with tomato slices and fresh basil leaves. Season with additional salt and cracked pepper if desired, then drizzle aged balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze over everything before serving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the correct internal temperature for safety and juiciness.
- Pounding the chicken helps it cook evenly and tenderizes the meat for the best texture.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or broil the chicken in the oven.
- Choose ripe, vine-ripened tomatoes for the freshest flavor contrast with the creamy mozzarella.
- For a low-sodium version, reduce the added salt and rely more on the seasoning blend and fresh ingredients.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after grilling to retain juices before slicing.
