Quick 15-Minute Caprese Chicken Recipe with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Made Easy
A fast, flavorful Caprese chicken recipe ready in just 15 minutes, featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic glaze.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced thin
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn or whole
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
- Optional: small sprinkle of lemon zest
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment or plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until about ½ inch thick and even (about 5 minutes).
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet until shimmering but not smoking. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Place chicken breasts in the hot pan and cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until golden crust forms. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until chicken is opaque and reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Lay sliced mozzarella evenly over each chicken breast, then top with sliced tomatoes. Cover pan with lid or foil and cook about 2 minutes to melt cheese.
- Remove lid and sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves over the top. Drizzle balsamic glaze over everything. Add lemon zest if desired.
- Serve immediately, spooning any pan juices over the chicken.
Notes
If mozzarella isn’t melting quickly, place pan under broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid browning. Pat mozzarella dry before adding to prevent sogginess. Do not overcrowd pan; cook chicken in batches if needed. Fresh mozzarella is preferred over shredded for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 40
Keywords: Caprese chicken, quick chicken recipe, mozzarella chicken, basil chicken, balsamic glaze, easy dinner, 15-minute meal, Italian chicken