Description
This Chicken Caprese Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan dish featuring juicy butterflied chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection, topped with blistered cherry tomatoes, a tangy balsamic-pesto sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Finished with fresh basil, it combines classic Caprese flavors into a simple yet elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken and Cooking
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon basil pesto
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Butterfly the chicken breasts: Place each chicken breast on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut horizontally through the middle creating two thinner pieces from each breast, resulting in four pieces total. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Season and brown chicken: Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Place them in the heated skillet and cook until light golden brown on each side, about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Add cherry tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes until they are slightly blistered and softened.
- Make and add the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together water, balsamic vinegar, basil pesto, honey, minced garlic, corn starch, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the chicken and tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a bit more water to reach desired consistency.
- Top chicken with mozzarella: Evenly distribute ¼ cup shredded mozzarella over each chicken piece. Cover the skillet with a lid, remove from heat, and allow the cheese to melt. Alternatively, place the skillet under a broiler for 1-2 minutes if you prefer browned cheese.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top for a fresh, aromatic finish and serve immediately.
Notes
- Butterflying the chicken breasts allows for quicker and more even cooking.
- You can use jarred basil pesto or homemade pesto according to preference.
- If broiling the cheese, watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Add extra water to the sauce carefully to avoid thinning it out too much.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread or over pasta for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
