This Baked Chicken Caprese is an easy dinner recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes! A simple balsamic sauce, roasted cherry tomatoes, juicy chicken breasts, and Mozzarella cheese.
See the step by step recipe video down in the recipe card.
Table of Contents
It’s a known fact around here that I’m obsessed with balsamic vinegar. It is the perfect punch of flavor in so many dishes, including this Instant Pot Beef Stew, this Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin, and these Honey Balsamic Chicken Thighs.
In this Chicken Caprese, the balsamic vinegar balances out the sweetness of the tomatoes, the herbiness of the basil, and the savory Mozzarella cheese — they all work together to create something really incredible!
I know that many recipes for Caprese Chicken are done on the stove top, but I love throwing this in the oven.
This month is all about the perfect Baked Chicken Breasts, and so far we’ve seen this Baked Tuscan Chicken and Baked Honey Garlic Chicken.
I am really loving having these easy recipes tucked in my back pocket for days I don’t feel like standing over the stove!
You can find more easy Baked Chicken Recipes here.
Baking this Chicken Caprese means that they come out perfectly juicy with loads of flavor, and minimial prep work.
There’s no watching, and waiting, and flipping, and stirring.
Just stir a few ingredients together, pour that deliciousness over some chicken breasts and let it go.
Love caprese flavors? Check out this Caprese Chicken and Potatoes or this Chicken Caprese Skillet next!
What is Caprese Chicken?
The term “Caprese” comes from the word “Capri”, as in the island of Capri in Italy. I believe the term was first used to refer to Caprese Salad, a salad made of fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, Mozzarella, and olive oil.
Modern adaptations often include a balsamic reduction, though it’s unclear whether this was included in the original.
Chicken Caprese is a dish that pairs chicken with that classic combination of flavors: fresh tomatoes, basil, Mozzarella, and olive oil. I love the extra punch of flavor from the balsamic, so we are using it here, too!
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Chicken Breasts: you can swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs without changing the rest of the recipe. Since they are smaller, you may want to use twice as many. I don’t recommend bone-in or skin-on chicken for this recipe as it will require a longer cook time.
- Balsamic vinegar: you can omit the balsamic vinegar if you don’t have any, but it does add such a great punch of flavor. If you do omit it, you may find you don’t need the honey to balance it out.
- Olive oil: you can swap the olive oil for any oil you have on hand
- Basil pesto: this is an untraditional ingredient but one I love because it packs in so much herby flavor! You can swap for some additional fresh or dried herbs if you do not have any.
- Honey: balances out the tanginess of the vinegar. You can omit if you prefer, or swap with granulated sugar.
- Cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can be a bit of a splurge at the grocery store, so if you prefer you can swap for one whole large tomato, diced, or a small can of diced tomatoes, drained.
- Fresh mozzarella: You can leave this out if you require a dairy-free recipe, though I would never choose to if you can include it! You can swap for freshly shredded Mozzarella cheese if that’s what you have on hand.
- Fresh basil: because fresh basil lasts about 9 seconds in the fridge (I’m kidding, but it’s almost true!), I don’t often have it on hand. If you don’t have any, you can swap for a little extra pesto or dried herbs for additional flavor. Just go light if you are using dried basil — it has a powerful flavor!
How to prep this Chicken Caprese ahead:
This recipe only requires a few minutes prep, so I don’t usually take the time to prep it ahead.
That being said, if you are working away from home or you are coming home with just enough time to throw it in the oven, here are a couple ways you can prep it ahead:
- Stir together the balsamic sauce and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
- Trim and pound your chicken breasts so that it is roughly the same thickness throughout, then trim any fat from around the edges.
- Slice or shred your mozzarella
I don’t recommend leaving the chicken in the sauce for more than 1 hour, as the acidity can make the chicken tough after a long period of time.
How to store leftover chicken:
Leftover Chicken Caprese can be store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
I recommend reheating gently on the stove top in a covered skillet, adding a touch of water or chicken broth as needed.
Because of the fresh tomatoes, I don’t generally freeze this recipe, although it could be done. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming.
Baked Chicken Caprese
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon basil pesto
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese or 1 cup shredded
- fresh basil
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9×13″ casserole dish and turn the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a piece of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, smooth meat mallet or small frying pan to pound the thick end of the chicken breasts so that they are close to uniform in size (this will ensure all the chicken is cooked at the same time).
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, oil, pesto, honey, corn starch, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Place tomatoes in the baking dish around the chicken.
- Drizzle balsamic mixture over chicken and tomatoes.
- Bake at 425 degrees F for 15-23 minutes (the exact time will depend on the exact thickness of your chicken breasts), until chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.
- Top each chicken breast with a slice of cheese. Return to the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes, just until melted.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Georgia Blerot says
This is quite delicious but I feel as though you have to cook the tomatoes at low heat for at least an hour before adding the chicken
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Georgia! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Lou says
I made some adjustments due to what I had in my garden ..no pesto, so just used fresh basil . I did not add cornstarch,
Flavor on chicken with honey and balsamic vinegar … so good
Thank you
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Lou! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Doris ANN MacDonald says
Our family loves this. I have made a couple of adjustments. I make sure the chicken breasts are well seasoned prior and I put slits in them to make sure flavor is saturated. I also slice into 3s the cherry tomatoes gives them more flavour throughout. Fantastic well appreciated recipe. Thank you ❤️
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Doria! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and feedback on adjustments!
Linda says
I just made this and loved it! I had rice on the side which was great with the sauce and tomatoes. Thanks!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Linda! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Jody says
Hello, is it best to bake this covered or uncovered please
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Jody! I cook mine uncovered. Enjoy!
Cynthia says
I don’t usually comment on recipes but this was fabulous! All three of my picky kids said they would like this again. Thank you!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Cynthia! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Evelyn Fourie says
Hi Ashley
I would like to try this recipe but would I be able to make it in an air fryer, as I have just acquired one and want to try making various recipes in it and this sounds really lovely
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Evelyn, you could make the chicken yes, but not the tomatoes unless you are using some sort of container to hold them, which I don’t know what you could use.
Diane M says
So easy and so good!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Diane! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
DeAnn says
Was delicious! Will definitely make again
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi DeAnn! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Wendy says
I cut my tomatoes in half and gave them a little squish to get most of the seeds/juice out this is really a great dish!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Wendy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Jennifer says
Soo good. The chicken came out nice and tender. Definitely will make again
Heather says
Made this for dinner tonight, and it was great! We added a light drizzle of balsamic glaze before eating. Delicious!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Heather! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Linda says
What suggestions for side dishes with this chicken?
Ashley Fehr says
We love it with rice or pasta and fresh veggies!
Dana says
I put mine over a bed of fresh spinach soooo good!!
Chelsey says
Made this for lunch today and it was a big hit. Loved the way the tomatoes exploded to create a tomato pesto sauce with just a note of sweetness. Also, a ythlng with grilled mozza is a big yes. Putting this in the regular recipe rotation!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Chelsey! I’m glad you liked it!
Samantha Charkow says
I added queen Spanish green olives and whole black olives as well while it was cooking. Oh my word, so good! I also made angel hair pasta and used the drippings from the chicken and marinade as it’s sauce. Threw in some fresh spinach as well. Amazing!!
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great idea!
Clare says
What a great idea, I love your suggestion.
Amy stile says
Can u substitute chicken breast and use eggplant?
Ashley Fehr says
I haven’t tried, so I can’t say
Carol-Ann says
Hi Ashley.
I’m wonder If I can substitute wine vinegar for the balsamic vinegar and, would it be the same amount used?
If you don’t think it would taste as good, I will zip down to the grocery store.
Thanks