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Chicken Caprese is a simple one-skillet meal that’s full of Italian bistro flavor.
Seasoned chicken breasts are cooked in white wine with garlic butter and cherry tomatoes, topped with mozzarella cheese, crumbled bacon, and basil leaves for a fresh and flavorful dinner.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Juicy, cheesy, tangy, and herbaceous – like a classic Caprese salad but warm and hearty!
- Skill Level: Easy. This recipe uses basic pan-searing and oven baking to make a fresh and fast dinner with only one pan to wash.
- Serving Suggestions: This caprese chicken recipe pairs great with pasta, crusty bread, rice, or a nice side salad.
- Freezing: While best served fresh, the cooked chicken can be frozen without the toppings.
Ingredient Tips for Chicken Caprese
- Chicken: Choose the same-sized boneless, skinless breasts so they cook evenly. Skinless, boneless chicken cutlets or thighs can also be used.
- Bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a salty balance to the creamy cheese and tangy sauce. Pancetta can be used for the same flavor, but add a little oil to the chicken in Step 2.
- Tomatoes: Choose cherry or grape tomatoes to add visual appeal to this dish.
- Cheese: For convenience, we use shredded mozzarella. It melts beautifully and adds a creaminess to this dish. You can also use fresh mozzarella cheese, but slice it into thin, even rounds before using.
- Basil: Fresh basil leaves are really what give this dish its signature fresh flavor, but you can use dried basil in a pinch.
Variations
- Burrata is another cheese similar in texture to mozzarella.
- This dish is great for adding extra veggies like sliced mushrooms, chopped spinach, or red onion in Step 5.
- Finish it off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze or your own balsamic reduction.
Storing Chicken Caprese
Keep leftover chicken caprese in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy it cold or heat it in the microwave.
Freeze leftover chicken in a zippered bag for up to one month and thaw in the refrigerator before enjoying on a bed of greens.
Delicious Italian Style Chicken Recipes
Did your family love this Chicken Caprese Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Chicken Caprese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 5 oz each
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 bunch fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- In a 10" skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, reserving the drippings.
- Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat bacon drippings over medium high heat and add chicken. Brown 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the pan and set on a plate.
- In the same skillet, add 2 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Stir in wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Whisk in butter.
- Add the chicken breasts back to the skillet along with the cherry tomatoes. Simmer the chicken and tomatoes uncovered for about 5-7 minutes, or until the tomatoes are cooked and slightly softened.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken and tomatoes. Place the skillet under the broiler for 1 minute, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with crumbled bacon, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Made for supper tonight and it was delicious! We served it over pasta with balsamic drizzle and oh my! SWP Employee
I am glad you enjoyed the chicken caprese salad, Samantha. That sounds like the perfect pairing.
Absolutely delicious!! I added a drizzle of balsamic glaze too. Will definitely be making this again during the summer tomato season!
That will be delicious!
Sooo good!
I needed something to use up a ton of grape tomatoes and this came up in my email!
Jennifer, perfect timing! So glad you enjoyed it.
Made this tonight and will make again and again! So Good!
Thanks so much for leaving a comment, Dale!
Hello,
I just made this it was very good. I am going to make it again shortly. I over heated the pan and it affected the garlic a little. I added the bacon crumbled then the cheeses.I also made the zucchini and squash side that was also very good.
Thank You,
Brett
I am glad you enjoyed this recipe Brett. Serving it wit zucchini and squash sounds wonderful!
You don’t mention to add the bacon back in at all. Did you only cook the bacon for the grease? I just added the bacon at the end and it was delicious. Also did you mean broil in the oven?
The bacon is stirred in step 5. Yes, we broil in the oven. Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Very simple to make and tasty! We enjoyed this meal. The tomatoes done this way are great.
Thanks Leah, glad you enjoyed them :)
This recipe is not only quick & easy but “To Die For” delicious! It seriously is a favourite and will be had on a regular rotation. Any leftovers are really good on a leafy green salad for lunch the next day too! A real keeper!!
I am so happy to hear you loved this recipe Liz!