Caprese Chicken
If you’re looking for a dinner that feels fresh, flavorful, and totally effortless, this Caprese Chicken is the answer. It takes everything you love about a classic caprese salad—ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, vibrant basil pesto, and a sweet drizzle of balsamic—and layers it over juicy baked chicken for a meal that tastes restaurant-worthy but takes just minutes to assemble.
It’s bright, cheesy, savory, and perfect for busy nights when you want something wholesome without spending all evening in the kitchen. Serve with Easy Rice Pilaf and Tossed Green Salad for the perfect meal.
Why You’ll Love This Caprese Chicken
I love a good caprese. Basil, tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic, it is a total win for me, and probably why I make Traditional Caprese, but also Caprese Grilled Cheese, Caprese Salad, and anything else caprese I can. But this chicken might just be my favorite:
- Just 5 ingredients: Simple, fresh, and packed with flavor.
- Minimal prep: Slice tomatoes, layer everything in the casserole dish, bake. That’s it.
- Family-friendly: Mild, cheesy, and customizable.
- Great for meal prep: Leftovers reheat beautifully.
- Versatile: Serve with pasta, rice, a green salad, or roasted veggies.
Caprese Chicken Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 1 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 3 vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
How to Make Caprese Chicken
- Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 400°F. - Assemble the dish:
- Place the chicken breasts in a casserole dish in a single layer.
- Spread the pesto evenly over the top of the chicken.
- Layer the sliced tomatoes over the pesto.
- Add the fresh mozzarella slices on top.
- Bake:
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. - Finish with balsamic:
Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the hot chicken right before serving.
Tips for the Best Caprese Chicken
- Use room-temperature pesto: It spreads more easily and melts into a better sauce.
- Salt the tomatoes lightly: This draws out excess moisture and boosts flavor.
- Prefer extra melty cheese? Add shredded mozzarella under the fresh slices for more melt.
- Want a bubbly, golden top? Broil the dish for the last 2–3 minutes.
- Slice chicken breasts in half if they’re very thick—this helps them cook evenly.
What to Serve With Caprese Chicken
This dish pairs well with:
- Buttered pasta or angel hair
- Balsamic orzo
- Garlic bread
- Roasted asparagus or zucchini
- A simple green salad
- Rice or cauliflower rice
Storage & Reheating
Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave or bake at 350°F until heated through.
Freezing not recommended due to the fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, which can become watery after thawing.
Other Easy Recipes
- Slow Cooker Easy Swedish Meatballs
- Poppyseed Chicken
- Baked Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Baked Feta Chicken
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Chicken Gnocchi Bake
Caprese Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 1 cup pesto homemade or store-bought
- 3 vine-ripened tomatoes sliced
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F.
- Place the chicken breasts in a casserole dish in a single layer.
- Spread the pesto evenly over the top of the chicken.
- Layer the sliced tomatoes over the pesto.
- Add the fresh mozzarella slices on top.
- Bake: Bake for 40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Finish with balsamic: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the hot chicken right before serving.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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