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Grilled Caprese Chicken topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, basil, and balsamic glaze on a white plate.
Linda

Caprese Chicken

Juicy seared chicken topped with melted fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil, finished with a sweet-tangy balsamic glaze.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
  • 1 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Toppings
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 2 medium ripe tomatoes sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves torn, plus more for serving
For the Balsamic Glaze
  • 0.5 cup balsamic vinegar good quality
  • 1 tbsp honey

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet
  • Tongs
  • Small saucepan

Method
 

Prep
  1. In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and honey. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes until reduced by half and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. It will thicken more as it cools. Set aside.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry and pound to an even 3/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or heavy pan. Season both sides with 3/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Cook
  1. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and cook 4 minutes more. Chicken will not be fully cooked through yet.
  2. Preheat broiler to high. Top each chicken breast with mozzarella slices. Transfer skillet to oven and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with light golden spots. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Assemble
  1. Remove from oven and immediately top with tomato slices and torn basil. Drizzle generously with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve hot with extra glaze on the side.

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh mozzarella packed in water rather than the low-moisture shredded variety. If your balsamic vinegar is very sweet, reduce or omit the honey. This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread to soak up the glaze, or serve over arugula for a lighter meal. Leftovers keep for 2 days but are best fresh while the cheese is soft.