Easy 20-minute chicken caprese dinner that is juicy, tender, and loved by everyone! Made in one pan with chicken thighs, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze.

It pairs well with our Berry Spinach Salad for a bright summer meal!

Close up easy caprese chicken in pan. this recipe

Chicken Caprese

This chicken caprese is the pure definition of an easy dinner. Made with 6-ingredients, one pan, and in about 20-minutes.

It combines tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella, and balsamic vinegar. All on top of a juicy, tender, chicken thigh.

The trick to this quick chicken caprese recipe is to use chicken thighs. Chicken thighs cook fairly quickly and turn out juicy every single time.

Ingredients for caprese mozzarella chicken.

What is Chicken Caprese?

Chicken caprese is seasoned chicken topped with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s simple as that. It’s basically a caprese salad over cooked chicken. 

Chicken Caprese Recipe

The key to this caprese mozzarella chicken is not to overcook the chicken. You want your skillet pretty hot before adding the chicken. It should sizzle and begin browning right away.

If the skillet is not hot enough, your chicken will give off moisture and “steam”. Cast-iron or a stainless steel pan is great for searing meat. Make sure to use at least a 14-inch pan so the chicken is not overcrowded. 

Overhead chicken caprese recipe in skillet.

How to Make Chicken Caprese

Step 1: Add balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, partially covered, for about 15-23 minutes. It should be thick but still easily pourable by a spoon. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: While the glaze is simmering, pat dry the chicken lightly with a paper towel. Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste. Slice the mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, and set aside.

Step 3: Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add butter and olive oil. When hot, add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until almost cooked through.

Step 4: Top each chicken thigh with a slice of mozzarella and cover the pan with a lid. Reduce heat to medium and let the cheese soften, for about 1-2 minutes. 

Step 5: Remove the pan off the heat, and top each thigh with tomato slices, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. I also like to add a light sprinkle of kosher salt over the tomato. It brings out the sweetness of the tomato and the glaze.

Katya’s TIP: To speed up this recipe even further, skip on making your own balsamic glaze and simply use a store bought glaze.  

Step by step on how to make easy chicken caprese

What to Serve with Caprese Chicken?

Chicken caprese serves well with a bright green salad or a starchy side. Here are a few suggestions:

Side Salads

Starchy Sides

Side view of balsamic glaze over caprese mozzarella chicken.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

Video: How to Make Easy Skillet Chicken Caprese

Want to see how easy it is to make this skillet chicken caprese? Watch the video below!

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Side view balsamic glaze over caprese mozzarella chicken.

20-Minute Easy Skillet Chicken Caprese

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Sear
  • Cuisine: Italian
Print Recipe

Description

Easy 20-minute chicken caprese dinner that is juicy, tender, and loved by everyone! Made in one pan with juicy chicken thighs, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 6 boneless, skinless, chicken thighs (about 2 pounds total)
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1–2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 6 slices
  • 2 medium tomatoes on the vine, sliced
  • Fresh basil, cut into thin strips
  • Kosher salt and fresh black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, bring balsamic vinegar to a simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce heat to low or as needed and simmer partially covered for 15-23 minutes, until vinegar has reduced to a thicken glaze. Start checking the glaze around 15 minutes. It should be thick but still easily pourable by a spoon. Remove from heat.
  2. While the vinegar is simmering, prepare the chicken. Lightly pat dry the chicken thighs with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. In a large skillet, heat butter with olive oil over medium-high heat. When butter begins to foam, add chicken to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
  4. Top each chicken thigh with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover pan with lid, reduce heat to medium and allow the chicken to cook 1-2 minutes longer until the cheese has slightly melted.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat, top each thigh with a slice of tomato and sprinkle with fresh basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Chicken: The key to getting chicken nicely golden brown is to make sure the skillet is hot, chicken is not crowded, and using a heavy-bottom pan, such as cast-iron or stainless steel. You’ll need at least a 14-inch pan.
  • Balsamic Glaze: To speed up this recipe even further, skip on making your own glaze and use a store-bought balsamic glaze. It’s usually sold in the same aisle as the oil.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 315
  • Sugar: 8.2 g
  • Sodium: 435.3 mg
  • Fat: 10.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10.8 g
  • Protein: 42 g
  • Cholesterol: 157 mg

Recipe published 2/12/2016. Updated 7/29/2021.