Name: Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 3 large garlic cloves, minced; 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved; 10 large basil leaves, finely chopped; 8 oz fresh buffalo mozzarella, sliced in 1/2 inch thick slices; balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, to taste

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 7 reviews

Hey there! If you’re craving something bright, fresh, and downright delicious, this Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe is going to become your new go-to dinner. It’s one of those dishes that looks fancy but comes together quickly, with juicy chicken breasts topped with melty mozzarella, sweet cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a tangy balsamic drizzle—pure magic in a skillet. Stick around, because I’ll walk you through every step so your dinner turns out perfect every single time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple, Quality Ingredients: Fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella bring authentic Italian flavors that sing together beautifully.
One-Pan Wonder: Cooking everything in one skillet saves time and minimizes cleanup—always a win in my book.
Juicy Chicken Every Time: The covered cooking method ensures tender, well-cooked chicken without drying it out.
Customizable and Fresh: It’s easy to tweak with what you have—add herbs, switch up the cheese, or try different vinegars.

Chicken Caprese Skillet, Chicken Caprese Dinner, Easy Chicken Caprese, Italian Chicken Skillet, Quick Chicken Caprese - The image shows a silver pan on a white marbled surface with four cooked chicken pieces, each topped with a round slice of melted white cheese. The chicken is surrounded by a colorful mix of small red and yellow cherry tomatoes, some cooked and some whole, with bits of green herbs mixed in. Around the pan, there is a cluster of fresh red cherry tomatoes on a white marbled surface at the top right, a small clear glass bowl filled with dark sauce, a white plate at the bottom right, and a small bunch of fresh green basil leaves at the bottom left. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe lies in the balance of bright, creamy, and savory flavors. Each ingredient has a purpose and I always recommend grabbing the freshest you can find to bring those flavors alive in your kitchen.

Chicken Caprese Skillet, Chicken Caprese Dinner, Easy Chicken Caprese, Italian Chicken Skillet, Quick Chicken Caprese - Flat lay of four raw boneless skinless chicken breasts, a few pinches of kosher salt and scattered freshly ground black peppercorns, two small white ceramic bowls each holding golden olive oil, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with halved bright red cherry tomatoes, a few large vibrant green basil leaves, several thick slices of fresh white buffalo mozzarella arranged neatly, and a small white ceramic bowl of dark glossy balsamic vinegar, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Go for boneless and skinless for quick cooking and easy eating, and make sure they’re roughly the same thickness for even cooking.
Olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds fruity richness that pairs perfectly with basil and balsamic.
Garlic: Just a few cloves give the skillet its flavorful foundation without overpowering the other ingredients.
Cherry tomatoes: Their natural sweetness and juiciness are key, plus they soften beautifully when sautéed to release all their flavor.
Fresh basil: The star herb in this dish—finely chopped to spread its bright aroma and earthy notes.
Buffalo mozzarella: Use fresh mozzarella for its creamy texture and mild tang that melts just right on the chicken breasts.
Balsamic vinegar or glaze: This finishing touch adds that punch of tangy sweetness that really elevates the whole skillet.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Don’t skip seasoning the chicken well—you want those simple flavors enhanced!

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe is. Maybe you’re like me and want to tweak it a bit depending on what’s in your fridge or how much time you’ve got. Don’t be afraid to play around—cooking should always feel a little adventurous and fun!

Variation: Sometimes, I swap buffalo mozzarella for fresh burrata when I want that extra creamy texture—it’s indulgent and totally worth it.
Vegetarian version: Try this around grilled tofu or eggplant slices instead of chicken for a meatless twist that still hits all those fresh flavor notes.
Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic if you like a little heat — I do this on weekends to shake things up.
Seasonal switch-up: In cooler months, roasted cherry tomatoes work beautifully if fresh aren’t available—just roast them with a bit of olive oil and garlic first.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by patting your chicken breasts dry, then sprinkle both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. I always find this step crucial because it seasons the chicken right down to the core. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cover with a lid. Cook for about 10 minutes—try not to peek too much; that lid helps the chicken steam and stay juicy. After 10 minutes, flip the chicken and keep cooking until it’s cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This method gives you a nicely browned exterior without drying out the inside.

Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes

Once the chicken is done, remove it to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm and juicy. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet, keeping all those tasty browned bits from the chicken in place. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant – don’t rush this step or you’ll risk burning the garlic and turning it bitter. Next, add in the halved cherry tomatoes. Sauté them for about 5 minutes until their skins start to wrinkle and soften. This releases their natural sweetness and makes the whole dish sing.

Step 3: Add Basil, Cheese & Final Touches

Stir in the chopped basil quickly, then nestle the chicken breasts back into the pan on top of the tomatoes. Top each chicken breast with slices of fresh buffalo mozzarella—two thick slices should do it. Cover the skillet again and let the cheese melt gently for about 1 to 2 minutes—you want it gooey but not rubbery. I find covering the pan helps melt the cheese evenly without overcooking the chicken. Right before serving, drizzle a splash of balsamic vinegar or a balsamic glaze over everything for that tangy pop that ties the whole dish together.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Even Chicken Thickness: Pound the chicken breasts gently if they’re uneven to ensure they cook through at the same rate.
Don’t Skip the Lid: Covering the pan traps steam, helping the chicken stay tender and the cheese melt perfectly.
Fresh is Best: Using fresh mozzarella and basil makes a world of difference in flavor; frozen or dried versions won’t shine as bright.
Balsamic Balance: Add your balsamic vinegar little by little—you can always add more, but too much can overpower the fresh ingredients.

How to Serve Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe

Chicken Caprese Skillet, Chicken Caprese Dinner, Easy Chicken Caprese, Italian Chicken Skillet, Quick Chicken Caprese - The image shows two white dishes with a chicken meal. Each dish has a layer of cooked chicken topped with melted white cheese with light brown spots. The chicken sits on a bed of cooked cherry tomatoes in red and yellow, mixed with a few green basil leaves and some sauce that looks shiny and brown. The larger plate has three chicken pieces with cheese on top, garnished with three fresh green basil leaves in the center. The smaller bowl has one chicken piece with cheese, surrounded by cooked cherry tomatoes and some green basil leaves. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a black and white striped cloth near the bowl and some fresh cherry tomatoes with green stems to the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping my Chicken Caprese Skillet with a few fresh basil leaves for color and extra herb flavor. Sometimes I’ll also sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt right before serving to give it that little crunch and enhance the flavors even more. If you want to get fancy, a light drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil right over the top is always a winner in my book.

Side Dishes

This recipe is lovely on its own, but I usually pair it with crusty garlic bread to soak up all the juices and a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. Rice pilaf or even buttery mashed potatoes work beautifully too if you want something a bit heartier. Oh, and roasted asparagus or green beans bring a nice crunch and freshness to the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I made this Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe for a small dinner party and served it family-style, straight from a beautiful cast-iron skillet right to the table. Everyone loved the casual vibe and loved scooping out their own plates—plus, it looked stunning with the ripe tomatoes and melted cheese bubbling away. For a romantic date night, try plating each chicken breast solo with artfully arranged sliced tomatoes and a basil sprig on top.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Chicken Caprese Skillet cools, pop any leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to four days. When I’ve done this, the flavors actually seem to deepen overnight, but the cheese can firm up a bit—don’t worry, reheating will take care of that.

Freezing

I haven’t frozen this dish often because fresh mozzarella doesn’t always freeze well—it can become a little grainy. But if you want to freeze it, I recommend removing the cheese and adding it fresh when reheating. Freeze the chicken and tomato mixture in a sealed container for up to two months.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the leftovers in a 350°F oven until heated through—about 15-20 minutes—to keep that tender chicken texture and prevent the mozzarella from turning rubbery. If you’re in a rush, the microwave works too, but zap it in short bursts and keep an eye on it.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in the Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will make this dish even juicier and more flavorful thanks to their higher fat content. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time—thighs may take a bit longer to cook through, so check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
What’s the difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic glaze?

Balsamic vinegar is a thin, tangy vinegar made from grapes. Balsamic glaze is reduced balsamic vinegar that’s thicker and sweeter, often with added sugar. Either works well in this recipe—glaze gives a more pronounced sweetness and makes for a pretty presentation drizzle.
Can I make this Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe dairy-free?

Definitely! Simply skip the mozzarella or swap it for a dairy-free cheese alternative that melts well. Adding extra herbs or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast can help boost flavors if you miss the cheese component.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?

The best method is to use a meat thermometer; chicken is safe and juicy when it reaches 165°F internally. If you don’t have one, cut into the thickest part—the meat should be white with clear juices running.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe is one I keep coming back to when I want something that’s easy but still feels special. The way the fresh tomatoes burst with sweetness, the basil adds that herbal brightness, and the mozzarella melts into creamy perfection—it’s like a little Italian escape on a busy weeknight. I’m confident you’ll love it as much as I do. Give it a try soon and let me know how it turns out in your kitchen—trust me, you’re going to wow everyone at your table.