If you’re craving a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, the Baked Caprese Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s a harmonious blend of juicy chicken breasts stuffed with aromatic pesto, surrounded by bursts of sweet cherry tomatoes and melted mozzarella, all finished with a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze and fresh basil. Simple ingredients come together to create something that tastes show-stopping but is surprisingly easy to make. This recipe brings the classic flavors of a Caprese salad right into the heart of a comforting, wholesome dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a special role, from creating vibrant colors and textures to layering the delicious flavors that make this dish unforgettable. Don’t let the simplicity fool you — every component is essential to hitting that perfect balance.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: They act as the perfect canvas to hold the pesto and marry the other flavors inside.
- Pesto: Adds herby, garlicky richness that infuses the chicken with vibrant taste.
- Kosher salt: Seasoning that enhances each ingredient without overpowering.
- Dried oregano: Offers an earthy, Mediterranean flair that complements the pesto perfectly.
- Garlic powder: Contributes subtle, cozy depth to the chicken’s seasoning.
- Onion powder: Provides mild sweetness and savoriness to the exterior.
- Ground black pepper: Adds just the right kick to balance the flavors.
- Dried thyme: Lends floral, slightly minty notes, making the seasoning complex.
- Olive oil: Used to sear the chicken to golden perfection, locking juices inside.
- Cherry tomatoes: Little bursts of sweetness and acidity that roast beautifully with the chicken.
- Mozzarella balls: Creamy cheese that melts luxuriously, turning every bite into a gooey delight.
- Balsamic glaze: A glossy, tangy drizzle that finishes the dish with a sophisticated edge.
- Fresh basil leaves: Bright, herbal freshness that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
How to Make Baked Caprese Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F to ensure it’s perfectly hot when your chicken and tomatoes are ready to bake. While it heats, take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and place them on a flat surface. Carefully slice a slit on the side of each breast, about three-quarters of the way through — this pocket will hold your pesto filling and make each bite irresistibly flavorful.
Step 2: Stuff the Chicken with Pesto
Spoon the pesto evenly into the pocket of each chicken breast. Spread it all the way to the edges to make sure every shred of chicken is infused with that herby, garlicky goodness. Once stuffed, gently close up the chicken breasts to seal in the flavor.
Step 3: Season the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
Next, sprinkle kosher salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and dried thyme generously over the outside of each chicken breast. This seasoning blend creates a fragrant crust that complements the inner pesto and fresh toppings perfectly.
Step 4: Sear the Chicken
In a cast-iron skillet or any oven-safe pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook them for about 4 minutes per side, browning them to a gorgeous golden hue. This step seals in the juices and adds a satisfying texture before baking.
Step 5: Add Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Scatter the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls around the chicken right in the skillet. These will roast alongside the meat, softening and melding into the sauce while the mozzarella starts to melt into amazing pockets of cheesy goodness.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide the skillet into your preheated oven and bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the thickest part of each chicken breast reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. The baking finishes cooking the chicken through and lets the tomatoes burst beautifully.
Step 7: Finish with Balsamic and Fresh Basil
Once out of the oven, drizzle the chicken and roasted veggies with balsamic glaze — this adds a tangy sweetness that brightens everything up. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top for an herbal punch that makes this Baked Caprese Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe truly sing!
How to Serve Baked Caprese Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil is a simple but essential garnish here, offering aromatic freshness and a pop of vibrant green that invites everyone to dig in. For a touch of extra indulgence, add a small sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few cracks of black pepper right before serving to enhance the flavors even more.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with light, fresh sides that won’t compete with its rich flavors. Think garlic roasted asparagus, a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, or even a serving of fluffy couscous or quinoa to soak up all the delicious juices.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, serve the chicken on a large platter surrounded by roasted cherry tomatoes and scattered mozzarella balls. Drizzle a bit more balsamic glaze in a decorative pattern and garnish with whole basil leaves. For casual gatherings, plate each portion individually with a basil sprig resting on top — it turns a weeknight meal into an elegant experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which might be rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the tomatoes and mozzarella in the same container maintains the dish’s harmony, but adding a fresh drizzle of balsamic glaze before reheating amps up the flavors again.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked Baked Caprese Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe, but for the best texture, freeze the chicken breasts separately from the tomatoes and cheese. Wrap each chicken piece tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
To keep the chicken juicy and the mozzarella melty, reheat leftovers slowly in an oven-safe dish at 325 degrees F for about 15-20 minutes, covered with foil. Alternatively, warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or olive oil to keep things moist. Avoid microwaving if you can, as it may toughen the chicken or make the cheese rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pesto instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade pesto brings an even fresher, vibrant flavor to the dish if you have the time. Just use your favorite basil pesto recipe or a good quality fresh version, and it will shine beautifully inside the chicken.
What can I substitute for mozzarella balls?
If you can’t find small mozzarella balls, cubed fresh mozzarella or sliced mozzarella cheese works well too. Just ensure it melts nicely during baking to maintain the gooey texture that makes this recipe so special.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your pesto and balsamic glaze are free from gluten ingredients. Always double-check your store-bought products if you have dietary restrictions.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, replace mozzarella balls with a dairy-free cheese alternative that melts well, or omit the cheese entirely and add extra cherry tomatoes for brightness. The pesto in many cases contains cheese, so opt for a vegan pesto to keep it fully dairy-free.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The best way is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the chicken breast. This ensures it’s safe to eat and wonderfully juicy without drying out.
Final Thoughts
Making the Baked Caprese Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe is like infusing your dinner table with a little Italian sunshine. It’s approachable yet elegant, packed with fresh flavors that make you feel like you’re treating yourself to something truly special. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight or a dinner to impress friends, this dish is guaranteed to become a new favorite. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be reaching for this recipe over and over!
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Baked Caprese Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Baked Caprese Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts stuffed with flavorful pesto, seasoned with aromatic herbs, and topped with fresh mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes. Sautéed to a golden brown then finished in the oven, it’s a deliciously easy Italian-inspired meal garnished with balsamic glaze and fresh basil leaves.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Toppings and Garnish
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces small mozzarella balls
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the chicken.
- Prepare the chicken breast. Lay the chicken breasts flat and carefully cut a slit lengthwise about three-quarters through each breast, creating a pocket without cutting all the way through.
- Stuff the chicken. Evenly spoon the pesto inside the slit of each chicken breast, spreading it to cover the inner surface thoroughly, then close the chicken breasts around the filling.
- Season the chicken exterior. Sprinkle the outside of the stuffed chicken breasts with kosher salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and dried thyme to infuse them with flavor.
- Sear the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sauté for 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Add tomatoes and mozzarella. Scatter the cherry tomatoes and small mozzarella balls around the seared chicken breasts in the skillet.
- Bake the chicken. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat thermometer.
- Finish and garnish. Remove the skillet from the oven, drizzle the chicken with balsamic glaze, and sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top before serving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to avoid undercooking.
- If you don’t have small mozzarella balls, you can cut larger mozzarella into bite-sized pieces.
- For a crispier finish, broil the dish for 1-2 minutes after baking if desired.
- Serve with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
