Quick Caprese Chicken Skillet
A simple and fast Italian-inspired skillet recipe featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil, ready in just 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 ounces/225 grams each)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced
- About 10 fresh basil leaves, torn or whole
- Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick, gently pound to about ¾ inch (2 cm) thickness. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let the oil shimmer but not smoke, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on the bottom, then flip.
- After flipping, immediately add the minced garlic around the chicken, stirring gently in the oil for about 30 seconds to release aroma without burning.
- Place sliced mozzarella evenly on top of each chicken breast, then add tomato slices on top of the cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil to trap heat and allow cheese to melt and tomatoes to warm through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Check that the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Cheese should be gooey and slightly browned at edges, tomatoes softened but holding shape.
- Remove the lid, sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the chicken, and drizzle with balsamic glaze if using. Let sit for a minute to meld flavors.
- Serve immediately, plating the chicken with the melty Caprese topping and spooning any pan juices over the top.
Notes
Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for even cooking. Use fresh mozzarella for best melting and texture. Cover skillet to trap steam and melt cheese properly. Adjust heat to avoid burning garlic or drying chicken. Let chicken rest briefly off heat before serving to keep it juicy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Caprese chicken, quick dinner, skillet recipe, fresh mozzarella, easy chicken recipe, Italian-inspired, weeknight dinner