This Caprese baked chicken is fresh, juicy, and packed with summer flavors all in one pan! Perfectly seared chicken breasts are topped with melty mozzarella, fresh basil, and roasted cherry tomatoes, then baked to perfection for a family-friendly dinner that’s as easy as it is delicious. This one-pan recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, yet elegant enough for a special occasion. If you are looking for a new way to prepare chicken, give this caprese chicken pasta a try!
My idea of the perfect summer dinner starts with juicy, seasoned chicken, served with pasta and topped with gooey melted mozzarella and roasted cherry tomatoes. Drizzle a rich balsamic glaze over the top, and you have a dish that is fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. If you’re a fan of chicken Caprese pasta, this baked version delivers all the same flavors with less effort and cleanup.
This baked Caprese chicken recipe is simple to make but loaded with flavor. Serve it with Instant Pot red mashed potatoes, a side of pasta, or a light garden salad for a well-balanced, hearty meal. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal-prepping for the week, this dish is an easy and delicious way to enjoy classic Caprese flavors with minimal effort!
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Why We Love This Baked Caprese Chicken Recipe
- Easy and Quick! This is on your table in under 30 minutes! It’s a great way to enjoy a healthy, protein-rich meal without sacrificing flavor.
- Classic Italian flavors with a flavorful twist
If you love caprese pasta salad, you’ll adore this dish! It brings together fresh basil, juicy cherry tomatoes, and melty mozzarella while taking things to the next level with a rich balsamic glaze drizzled over the top. - Perfect for any occasion
Once you taste this chicken caprese pasta, you’ll want to make it all summer long! Serve it with roasted vegetables, and a fresh side salad for a complete, restaurant-quality meal that everyone will enjoy.
Want more Italian recipes? Check out our cannellini beans salad recipe.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken: This poultry recipe uses breast meat because they are lean, cooks quickly, and have a mild flavor. I suggest using boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs.
- Tomatoes: The cherry and Roma tomatoes go perfectly together and they are sweet and juicy without turning runny. If you don’t have those, canned diced tomatoes or any fresh ripe tomatoes will do!
- Cheese: Mozzarella is the traditional cheese for Caprese cheese and we’ve used it in this recipe. You can also use swap it for provolone or cheddar.
- Basil: Fresh basil adds a wonderful flavor to Italian baked chicken and really brings out all the flavors. If you don’t have fresh, feel free to use dried basil.
- Balsamic glaze: I love the richness and acidity of the balsamic glaze in this recipe. If you don’t have a bottle of balsamic glaze, you can use a balsamic reduction or microwave your balsamic vinegar for two minutes at a time until it thickens.
- Seasonings: We used Italian seasoning because it gives the food a delicious flavor. It has a bit of an earthy taste with an herby flavor and goes well with tomatoes. However, feel free to use any other spice blend like rosemary, thyme, oregano, or garlic powder.
- Olive oil: Works well for searing, but it’s fine to use other oils like vegetable, canola, avocado, or ghee instead.
- Spaghetti noddles: Their long, thin shape allows them to soak up the juices from the roasted cherry tomatoes, balsamic glaze, and melty mozzarella, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish. If you prefer a lighter option, try whole wheat spaghetti or gluten-free spaghetti noodles to suit your dietary needs while still enjoying the delicious Caprese flavors!
Recipe Variations
- Stuffed caprese chicken: Slice a pocket into each chicken breast and stuff it with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil before baking. This variation keeps the flavors inside the chicken, making it even juicier and more flavorful.
- Low-carb & keto-friendly: Skip the pasta and serve this dish with zucchini noodles, roasted cauliflower, or spaghetti squash for a light, low-carb alternative.
- Extra cheesy: If you’re a cheese lover, try adding Parmesan or provolone along with the mozzarella for an even more indulgent, gooey topping.
- Spicy: For a little heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes or drizzle with a bit of spicy honey before serving. The sweetness and spice pair beautifully with the tangy balsamic glaze!
- Caprese kabob skewers: Sear breasts until they reach 165ºF, then cut them into bite-sized pieces. Add it to our tortellini caprese skewers for an easy kabob meal.
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- skillet – oven-safe skillet is recommended
- instant-read thermometer
How to Make Chicken Caprese Pasta
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking once the chicken goes in. - Heat the Skillet & Sear the Chicken
Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add olive oil until it shimmers.
Add the chicken breasts to the pan and let them cook for 4 minutes without moving them to get a golden-brown sear. Get a good sear by leaving the chicken alone until it’s ready to turn!
Flip the chicken and cook the other side until it’s beautifully golden brown.
- Add the Tomatoes & Seasoning
Remove the skillet from heat and toss in cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Gently stir to coat everything in the pan juices.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Use an oven-safe pan, like this cast iron skillet so you can go from stovetop to oven. You’ll also have one less pan to clean!
- Layer the Mozzarella & Roma Tomatoes
Place two slices of fresh mozzarella and two to three Roma tomato slices over each chicken breast, covering them evenly.
Don’t overcook the chicken! It will turn tough and stringy. An instant-read thermometer is essential. Bake it for 8-10 minutes or the internal temperature of the breast is 165°F.
- Layer the Mozzarella & Roma Tomatoes
Place two slices of fresh mozzarella and two to three slices of Roma tomatoes over each chicken breast, covering them evenly. Add salt and black pepper to taste. - Plate the cooked spaghetti noodles, then place the baked chicken on top.
- Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the chicken. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for that signature Caprese flavor. Serve immediately over cooked pasta and enjoy!
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
To crisp the tomato and mozzarella, broil it on high heat for a few minutes until it is to your desired doneness.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Cooking Tip: To make julienned basil, stack basil leaves like a deck of cards, then roll them up tight. Then slice very thinly until you have ribbons of basil. It’s worth this extra step!
Serving Suggestions
This Caprese baked chicken pairs perfectly with a variety of sides, making it a versatile and satisfying meal. Drizzle extra balsamic glaze for added flavor. If you prefer a hearty option, pair it with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted baby potatoes, steamed broccoli, or crispy smashed potatoes. A side of roasted asparagus, garlic green beans, or a crisp garden salad keeps the meal fresh and balanced.
For a more indulgent experience, serve it with crusty sourdough, garlic bread, or homemade focaccia to soak up the juicy tomatoes and balsamic glaze. If you’re looking for a creative twist, slice the chicken and layer it into a toasted ciabatta or baguette for a Caprese chicken sandwich with arugula and pesto. For a low-carb alternative, swap pasta for cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash to keep it light. Garnish with fresh herbs.
No matter how you serve it, this baked Caprese chicken recipe is a simple, delicious, and fresh way to enjoy classic Italian flavors with minimal effort!
Love Easy Poultry Recipes? So do we!
We recommend our popular, no-breading baked chicken tenderloins. Or, oven fried Bisquick chicken tenders are another go-to dinner. For something a little heartier, this pot pie recipe is always a hit.
Recipe FAQs
The answer is simple – don’t overcook them. Breasts are very lean which means they are prone to becoming dry if you cook them for too long. Check the internal temperature of your meat frequently.
The easiest way to cut tomatoes is to use a serrated or sharp paring knife.
* First, cut off the top of the tomato where the stem was attached.
* Then, cut the tomato in half crosswise (not lengthwise).
* Finally, slice the tomato halves into slices.
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work just as well in this recipe. They will be juicier and more tender, but may require a few extra minutes in the oven to reach 165°F internal temperature.
Yes! Grape tomatoes are a great substitute for cherry tomatoes in this caprese recipe. They have a slightly firmer texture and tend to be a bit sweeter, making them a delicious alternative. When baked, they soften and release their juices, creating a flavorful sauce that enhances the dish.
If using grape tomatoes, you can leave them whole or slice them in half to speed up the roasting process and allow them to blend more easily with the melted mozzarella and balsamic glaze. Either way, they will add the same fresh, juicy burst of flavor that makes this dish so delicious!
More Easy Dinner Recipes To Love…
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Caprese Baked Chicken
Equipment
- skillet - oven-safe skillet is recommended
- instant-read thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts thinly cut; I suggest using boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh meat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil use other oils like vegetable, canola, avocado, or ghee instead
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes or more; canned diced tomatoes or any fresh ripe tomatoes will do
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 8 slices (4 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese swap it for provolone or cheddar
- 3 Roma tomatoes sliced
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves whole or julienned; feel free to use dried basil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles cooked according to the package directions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat with the olive oil until the oil is shimmering.
- Add the breasts to the pan and cook for 4 minutes, without moving them for a good sear. Then turn and sear the other side until they are golden brown.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and add the cherry tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Toss to combine.
- Layer two pieces of mozzarella and two/three slices of Roma tomato on each piece of chicken (or as many as it takes to cover the chicken).
- Transfer the oven-safe skillet to the oven and bake it for 8-10 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and the internal temperature of the meat registers 165°F.
- Optional: crisp the tomato and mozzarella by broiling on high heat for 2-3 minutes or until your desired doneness.
- Add cooked spaghetti noodles to each plate, then top with chicken. Sprinkle over the basil leaves and drizzle on the balsamic glaze.
Notes
- Stuffed caprese chicken: Slice a pocket into each chicken breast and stuff it with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil before baking. This variation keeps the flavors inside the chicken, making it even juicier and more flavorful.
- Low-carb option: Skip the pasta and serve this dish with zucchini noodles, roasted cauliflower, or spaghetti squash for a light, low-carb alternative.
- Extra cheesy: If you’re a cheese lover, try adding Parmesan or provolone along with the mozzarella for an even more indulgent, gooey topping.
- Spicy: For a little heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes or drizzle with a bit of spicy honey before serving. The sweetness and spice pair beautifully with the tangy balsamic glaze!
- Caprese kabob skewers: Sear breasts until they reach 165ºF, then cut them into bite-sized pieces. Add it to our tortellini appetizers on skewers for an easy kabob meal.
- To make julienned basil, stack basil leaves like a deck of cards, then roll them up tight. Then slice very thinly until you have ribbons of basil. It’s worth this extra step!
- Use an oven-safe pan, like this cast iron skillet so you can go from stovetop to oven. You’ll also have one less pan to clean!
- To crisp the tomato and mozzarella, broil it on high heat for a few minutes until it is to your desired doneness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Bring to room temperature before storing. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition
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julia says
we loved the caprese chicken, perfectly balanced flavors, seasonings and delciiosuly tender chicken!
Harriet Young says
Great recipe, loved the chicken topped with mozzarella. Makes a brilliant dinner over pasta. Thank you!
dana says
This was so incredibly tasty and refreshing! Love the flavors and it was super simple to make, too.
Tara says
You had me at only 25 minutes! Such a fantastic and easy weeknight meal. I love all those flavors.