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Seasoned chicken breasts are cooked in white wine with garlic butter and cherry tomatoes, topped with mozzarella cheese, crumbled bacon, and basil leaves for easy Italian-inspired flavor without the fuss.

pan of Easy Chicken Caprese

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 create 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.
tomatoes , mozzarella , chicken , butter , wine , garlic , basil , parmesan , bacon , seasoning with labels to make Easy Chicken Caprese

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 will need a little oil added 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 what truly give this dish its signature fresh flavor, but dried basil can be used as a substitute in a pinch.

Favorite Variations

  • Burrata has a similar texture to mozzarella and makes a great substitute.
  • 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 a homemade balsamic reduction for a tangy finish.
adding tomatoes to cooked chicken in pan to make Easy Chicken Caprese

Holly’s Pro Tips

  • If you’re chicken breasts aren’t the same size, try pounding them to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
  • Adding the tomatoes towards the end of cooking allows them to soften but not fully burst for maximum juicy tomato flavor in each bite.
  • Be sure to broil the mozzarella before serving to allow it to fully melt and brown slightly, adding extra flavor.

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? Leave a comment and rating below.

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pan of Easy Chicken Caprese
4.97 from 28 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Chicken Caprese

This fresh and easy chicken caprese is a one-skillet dinner that's elegant and full of flavor.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Holly Nilsson
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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

Cook time can vary based on thickness of the chicken breasts. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Do not overcook.
Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
4.97 from 28 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 370 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 511mg | Potassium: 835mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 736IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 2mg

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.

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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4.97 from 28 votes (22 ratings without comment)

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Comments

    1. Diane, that sounds wonderful! Quick, easy, and delicious meals are always a win, and it’s even better when cleanup is simple. So glad this recipe turned out perfectly for you!

      Reply

  2. My family LOVED this recipe!!! We made it with rice and tossed salad. The whole house smelled delicious and the chicken, mozzarella, bacon, tomatoes and basil in the garlic-butter-bacon sauce was so yummy! This one is on the rotation! Thank you Holly!5 stars

    Reply

  3. Made for supper tonight and it was delicious! We served it over pasta with balsamic drizzle and oh my! SWP Employee

    Reply

    1. I am glad you enjoyed the chicken caprese salad, Samantha. That sounds like the perfect pairing.

      Reply

  4. Absolutely delicious!! I added a drizzle of balsamic glaze too. Will definitely be making this again during the summer tomato season!5 stars

    Reply

  5. Sooo good!
    I needed something to use up a ton of grape tomatoes and this came up in my email!5 stars

    Reply

  7. 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

    Reply

    1. I am glad you enjoyed this recipe Brett. Serving it wit zucchini and squash sounds wonderful!

      Reply

  8. 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?

    Reply

      2. Hi Mike, we cook the bacon in step 1 and set it aside. Then crumble it and add it on top in step 7 as garnish.

    2. 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!!

      Reply