Name: Baked Chicken Caprese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 2 small or 1 large tomato, sliced; 6 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced; 20 fresh basil leaves; 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp coarse salt; 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Jump straight to the recipe here (but you'll miss a lot of good info)!

This baked Chicken Caprese recipe is a go-to for a healthy, quick weeknight meal.

A few simple ingredients transform ordinary chicken into a delicious dish that the whole family will ask for again and again. Caprese is a popular Italian style dish that traditionally includes fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Adding it to your chicken is a tasty twist!

Why You’ll Love Baked Chicken Caprese

Fresh & Flavorful – Caprese is a popular dish; from fresh caprese salads to caprese sandwiches, even the classic Margherita Pizza is Caprese-style. The fresh flavors of basil and tomato paired with creamy fresh mozzarella perfectly complement the tender, juicy chicken.
Quick & Easy – It’s easy to make, requiring just a few minutes of prep time, and it cooks up in under 30 minutes.
Healthy – Lean chicken breast and fresh ingredients make for a light and healthy meal.

Baked Chicken Caprese Ingredients

Chicken Breast – Tender, juicy chicken breasts are perfect to pair with the fresh caprese ingredients.
Fresh Mozzarella – Thick slices of soft, gooey mozzarella melt into the chicken as it bakes.
Fresh Tomatoes – Crisp, garden fresh tomatoes are best for Baked Chicken Caprese.
Fresh Basil – Choose bright, fresh basil leaves for the sweet and slightly spicy punch of fresh herbs.
Italian Seasoning – Dried Italian seasoning adds a hint of other herbal notes like oregano and thyme.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – EVOO is essential to any caprese recipe!
Salt & Pepper – These pantry staples are essential flavor enhancers for every dish.

A complete ingredients list with amounts is in the recipe card below!

How To Make Baked Chicken Caprese

Prepare your chicken breasts – Slice a pocket into each piece, about 3/4 of the way through, being careful not to slice all the way through.
Stuff the chicken – Stuff each breast with tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese. Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with EVOO, and season.
Bake & Serve – Bake the chicken until cooked through and serve with your favorite side!

Variations, Substitutions, and Cooking Tips

Tomatoes – Any fresh tomato will work, but heirlooms and beefsteaks are perfect for caprese. If you want a smaller tomato, you can use campari tomatoes or other vine ripened options. Use firm tomatoes that can be thinly sliced.
Mozzarella – Fresh mozzarella is the best choice here, but in a pinch, you can use shredded mozzarella.
Make ahead – If you need to pre-prep your chicken, we recommend doing so no more than a few hours in advance.
Add extra ingredients – Bacon, anyone? Roasted red peppers, capers, roasted garlic, or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar would work well here as well.
Line the baking dish – Save time with clean up by lining your baking dish with foil, wax, or parchment paper.
Swap your cheese – It won’t be traditional caprese, but you can go for swiss or provolone if you want to try a different variation.

What To Serve With Baked Chicken Caprese

Pasta – Baked chicken caprese is perfect with your favorite pasta. Just toss freshly prepped pasta with a bit of butter or EVOO and a few dashes of parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
Potatoes – Everything works with potatoes. Baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, and even mashed potatoes can be great sides to pair with chicken caprese.
Salad – Make it a light meal and pair it with a healthy salad packed with greens and veggies.

Storage & Freezer Tips

Leftover Baked Chicken Caprese can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cheese and tomatoes don’t thaw well if they are frozen, so we don’t recommend it, but if you choose to freeze it, keep it in an airtight container for up to a month.

How To Reheat

To reheat any leftover Baked Chicken Caprese, you can heat it in the microwave by zapping it in a microwave safe dish for one to two minutes per chicken breast. For a better method to retain the original texture, you can reheat it in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes or until heated through.

Baked Chicken Caprese

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This baked Chicken Caprese recipe is a go-to for a healthy, quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 small or 1 large tomato, sliced
6 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
20 fresh basil leaves
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F.
Cut a pocket into each chicken breast, about 3/4 quarter of the way through, taking care not to cut all the way through.
Place 2 slices fresh tomato, 2 small slices of fresh mozzarella and 4-5 basil leaves into each pocket. Secure each with a few toothpicks.
Place the stuffed breasts on a sheet pan and drizzle with the oil. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, coarse salt, and pepper on the top of each stuffed chicken breast.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 342Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 890mgCarbohydrates: 3gNet Carbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 45g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.

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Heidi Deal

Heidi Deal is an editor, mother of two, and seasoned home cook who enjoys experimenting with new recipes and teaching her kids how to prepare family meals. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.