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Quick 20-Minute Caprese Chicken Skillet

quick 20-minute caprese chicken skillet - featured image
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A fast and flavorful skillet recipe featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with melty fresh mozzarella, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (about 150 g)
  • 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn into chunks
  • About 10 fresh basil leaves, torn or whole
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (optional)
  • Salt to taste (kosher salt recommended)
  • Black pepper to taste (freshly cracked)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat dry chicken breasts with paper towels. Season both sides with ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning if using. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking (about 1-2 minutes).
  3. Place chicken breasts in the hot skillet without crowding. Cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side without moving to develop a golden crust.
  4. Flip chicken and cook for another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Reduce heat to medium. Push chicken to one side of the skillet. Add minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes to the other side. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until garlic is fragrant and tomatoes soften.
  6. Top each chicken breast evenly with fresh mozzarella slices or chunks. Cover skillet with a lid or foil and cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and becomes gooey.
  7. Remove from heat. Sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves on top and drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired.
  8. Serve immediately with tomato and mozzarella topping and pan juices spooned over.

Notes

Do not crowd the pan to ensure proper browning. Use room temperature chicken for even cooking. Add garlic after flipping chicken to avoid burning. Add fresh basil off heat to preserve color and aroma. If mozzarella doesn’t melt well, broil for 1 minute watching carefully. Rest chicken after cooking to keep juices locked in. Drizzle balsamic glaze after plating to avoid stickiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese chicken, quick dinner, skillet recipe, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/quick-20-minute-caprese-chicken-skillet-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/