Description

Juicy chicken breasts topped with ripe tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and fragrant basil, all drizzled with a bright balsamic glaze. This one-pan wonder captures the classic Caprese flavors in a simple, family-friendly dinner!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz / 170–225 g each)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Topping

2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced about ¼” thick
8 oz (225 g) fresh mozzarella, sliced ~¼” thick or torn into pieces
½ cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Garnish

Additional fresh basil leaves
Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat and prep
: Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13″ (or similar) baking dish with olive oil.

2️⃣ Season the chicken
: Pat chicken breasts dry. Rub each breast all over with 1 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly on both sides. Arrange them in a single layer in the prepared dish.

3️⃣ Layer the Caprese toppings
: Place tomato slices atop each chicken breast, overlapping slightly if needed. Top with mozzarella slices or pieces, distributing evenly.

4️⃣ Bake until cooked through
: Bake, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) and the cheese is melted and starting to bubble.

5️⃣ Make the balsamic glaze
: While the chicken bakes, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple), and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a small bowl. (If you prefer a thicker glaze, simmer the mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until slightly reduced.)

6️⃣ Broil for finish (optional)
: For extra color, switch the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes—watch closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.

7️⃣ Drizzle and garnish
: Remove the chicken from the oven. Drizzle each breast with the balsamic glaze and scatter torn basil leaves over the top. Add a final sprinkle of flaky sea salt if desired.

8️⃣ Serve
: Transfer to plates or a serving platter. Serve alongside a crisp salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up the juices.

Notes

Juicier chicken: Pound breasts to even thickness (about ¾″) before seasoning to ensure uniform cooking.
Hearty sides: Spoon any pan juices over the chicken when serving, or serve with garlic mashed potatoes or pesto pasta.
Make-ahead: Assemble the chicken with toppings in the dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Bake from cold—add 5 minutes to the bake time.
Caprese twist: Swap mozzarella for burrata—add the creamy center after baking, then drizzle and garnish.
Herb boost: Mix 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary or thyme into the seasoning for an extra savory note.
Gluten-free & low-carb: Naturally compliant—skip the bread and pair with sautéed greens or cauliflower rice.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 28 min