Baked Caprese Chicken
This baked caprese chicken is one of those dinners that checks all the boxes. It’s easy to throw together, full of fresh flavor, and hearty. The chicken stays juicy, the mozzarella gets perfectly melty, and the tomatoes and basil make every bite so good.
Why This Chicken is a Weeknight Win
So Much Flavor: Juicy chicken, melty mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, and fresh basil come together with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. YUM!
Easy Weeknight Dinner: This baked caprese chicken comes together fast and bakes in one dish, which means less mess and less stress.
Fresh But Filling: It has all the bright caprese flavors you love, but the chicken makes it hearty enough for dinner. Serve it with orzo pasta, rice, or a simple salad!
A Reader’s Review
I literally NEVER leave reviews but holy cow was this the best recipe I’ve had in awhile. I cut my chicken super thin and used the broiler at the end to get the cheese extra melty. This will be a weekly dish in my house for sure. Feels like it came straight from a restaurant!
Baked Caprese Chicken Ingredients
Cheese: Use fresh mozzarella if you can, but sliced block mozzarella or a scant ¼ cup shredded mozzarella will work. For the best melt, shred it yourself instead of using pre-shredded.
Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or ripe sliced tomatoes all work! Sweeter tomatoes may need a little less honey.
How to Make Baked Caprese Chicken
You need this baked caprese chicken in your dinner arsenal for those nights when you want something easy but still really good. It uses simple ingredients, bakes in one pan, and gives you juicy chicken, melty mozzarella, and fresh tomato basil flavor. Just like in my Caprese skewers and Caprese Salad.
Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch or 3-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, then lay the chicken in it.
Make Sauce: Combine the balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Add Sauce: Pour the sauce over the chicken.
Soak Chicken: Flip the chicken over in the sauce to coat both sides.
Add: Add the grape tomatoes around the chicken, and lay the tomato slices on top of the breasts.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°. In the last 5 minutes, add the mozzarella on top of the chicken. If desired, broil on HIGH for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and browning. Top Baked Caprese Chicken with basil and serve.
Serving Ideas
Sandwich: Serve it as an open-face sandwich. Slice the chicken and add it to a crusty piece of bread
Pesto: Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or a couple of spoonfuls of prepared pesto on top!
Must Have Tools For This Recipe
9×13-inch Baking Dish, or a 3-Quart Baking Dish: Gives the chicken plenty of room to bake evenly without crowding.
Baked Caprese Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
Video
Notes
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze the chicken with the balsamic sauce in an airtight freezer container for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating. Add fresh tomatoes and mozzarella when reheating for the best texture.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, or bake at 375°F for 20-30 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F. Add fresh tomato slices and mozzarella on top before reheating, if desired.