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
Scale
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.
