Description
This Caprese Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish combining grilled, seasoned chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, ripe vine tomatoes, basil leaves, and a drizzle of aged balsamic glaze. Perfect for a light yet satisfying dinner that showcases classic Italian Caprese flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 chicken breasts (5-7 oz each), pounded to even thickness
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons sea or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced into 8 even pieces
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced into ½ inch slices
- Fresh basil leaves, to taste
- Aged balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pound each chicken breast until they are evenly flattened to slightly less than 1 inch in thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cracked black pepper. Brush each chicken breast with olive oil and then liberally sprinkle the seasoning mixture over both sides of the chicken.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill to high heat. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F to ensure they are nearly cooked through.
- Add mozzarella topping: Place the slices of fresh mozzarella evenly over each grilled chicken breast. Close the grill lid and continue cooking until the cheese melts and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring it is fully cooked.
- Assemble and serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Top each piece with slices of vine-ripened tomato and fresh basil leaves. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired, then drizzle aged balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze over the top before serving.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
- You can use a grill pan if an outdoor grill is not available.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender.
- Fresh basil and ripe tomatoes are key to authentically capturing Caprese flavor.
- Balsamic glaze provides a sweeter finish if you prefer over plain balsamic vinegar.
