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 into 1/2 inch thick slices; balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, to taste

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 8 reviews

If you’re craving something that’s bursting with fresh flavors but doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen, you’re going to love this Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe. Imagine juicy chicken breasts pan-seared to perfection, layered with melty mozzarella, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil – all finished with a tangy balsamic drizzle. It’s a dinner that feels fancy but comes together in just about half an hour – perfect for impressing your family or a cozy night in.

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Why This Recipe Works

Flavor Harmony: The fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, and balsamic create a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and herbal notes that complement the chicken beautifully.
One-Pan Convenience: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means less cleanup and a faster, easier dinner.
Melty Mozzarella Finish: Topping with fresh mozzarella and letting it gently melt adds a creamy, irresistible texture you’ll want on every bite.
Quick Weeknight Friendly: From start to finish, this dish takes roughly 30 minutes – perfect when you want a home-cooked meal without the fuss.

Chicken Caprese Skillet, Chicken Caprese Dinner, Caprese Chicken Recipe, Easy Chicken Skillet, Quick Caprese Chicken - 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

This Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe shines because of simple, fresh ingredients that pack a punch when combined. Using quality mozzarella and ripe cherry tomatoes really elevates the flavor, while garlic and basil bring that classic Italian flair.

Chicken Caprese Skillet, Chicken Caprese Dinner, Caprese Chicken Recipe, Easy Chicken Skillet, Quick Caprese Chicken - 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: Boneless, skinless work best for even cooking; pound them thin if you want extra quick cooking.
Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps create that golden sear on the chicken.
Garlic: Just a few cloves, but they fill the pan with a wonderful aroma and deepen the dish’s savory notes.
Cherry tomatoes: I love how they soften and burst, releasing sweet juices that turn into a simple sauce.
Fresh basil: This herb is essential – chopped finely to scatter that fresh, peppery brightness over the whole skillet.
Buffalo mozzarella: The creamy, slightly tangy cheese melts beautifully and gives the dish a restaurant-quality finish.
Balsamic vinegar or glaze: A little drizzle adds acidity and a touch of sweetness that wakes up every ingredient.
Kosher salt & pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together perfectly.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

I like to think of this recipe as a great base that you can easily personalize. Sometimes I add a bit of crushed red pepper flakes if I’m craving a little heat, or swap out buffalo mozzarella for fresh burrata when I want something extra creamy and indulgent. You can make this your own!

Add fresh spinach: Stir in a handful toward the end for extra greens – it wilts right in and adds a nice pop of color.
Use grilled chicken: For summer vibes, swap pan-seared for grilled chicken breasts, then pile on the tomatoes and cheese.
Gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, so perfect if you’re cooking for someone with dietary restrictions.
Vegetarian swap: Skip the chicken and double up the mozzarella and tomatoes for an easy Caprese skillet that’s all veggies and cheese.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear The Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken breasts generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. This simple step makes a huge difference in flavor. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the chicken in the pan, cover it, and let it cook undisturbed for about 10 minutes. This helps lock in moisture and creates a lovely golden crust. Flip and continue cooking until the chicken registers 165°F internally or is cooked through. Don’t rush flipping – patience here gives you juicy chicken every time!

Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes

Once the chicken is done, remove it and tent with foil to keep warm. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan and toss in the minced garlic. Stir it around for about a minute to release that wonderful aroma, scraping up any caramelized bits stuck to the pan – that’s flavor gold! Then add your halved cherry tomatoes and cook them until their skins start to soften and wrinkle, roughly 5 minutes. This softens the tomatoes and lets their sweetness shine.

Step 3: Bring It All Together with Basil and Mozzarella

Once the tomatoes smell sweet and tender, stir in the chopped basil for that fresh burst of flavor. Quickly nestle the chicken breasts back into the skillet among the tomatoes, then top each piece with two slices of fresh mozzarella. Cover the pan with a lid and let the mozzarella melt gently for 1-2 minutes – watching that cheese get soft and gooey is one of the best parts! Finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or glaze right before serving to add a tangy brightness that ties everything together.

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Pro Tips for Making Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe

Don’t Skip the Foil Tent: Resting the chicken under foil after cooking keeps it juicy and prevents it from drying out before adding mozzarella.
Use Room Temperature Mozzarella: Slicing mozzarella that’s closer to room temp helps it melt evenly and faster in the skillet.
Save Those Pan Bits: Scraping up the browned bits when cooking garlic adds a depth of flavor often overlooked but essential.
Low and Slow Melting: Cover the skillet and melt the cheese gently to avoid rubbery texture and preserve creaminess.

How to Serve Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe

Chicken Caprese Skillet, Chicken Caprese Dinner, Caprese Chicken Recipe, Easy Chicken Skillet, Quick Caprese Chicken - 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 sprinkling a few extra fresh basil leaves on top right before serving — it gives a vibrant color pop and fresh aroma. Sometimes, I add a pinch of flaky sea salt over the melted cheese to enhance those layers of flavor even more. A drizzle of good-quality balsamic glaze or vinegar just before the plate hits the table is my signature finishing touch.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or some garlic-roasted asparagus for a light, healthy vibe. When I want something more comforting, creamy risotto or buttery mashed potatoes are my go-to sidekicks. And if you’re feeling simple, warm crusty bread for scooping up the tomato juices is always a winner.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to serve the chicken on a large rustic platter with whole basil sprigs and extra sliced mozzarella scattered around. It looks beautiful and feels festive without extra effort. If you’re serving guests, portion the skillet at the table so everyone gets that beautiful cheese pull — which always gets a “wow!”

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your meal, let any leftovers cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I’ve kept mine fresh for up to 4 days, and the flavors actually deepen nicely overnight. Just be sure to separate any salad or fresh garnishes so they don’t get soggy.

Freezing

I haven’t personally frozen the whole Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe with mozzarella topping because fresh cheese doesn’t freeze well. However, you can freeze the cooked chicken and tomato mixture separately without the cheese — just reheat and add fresh mozzarella at serving time for the best results.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I prefer popping them in the oven at 350°F until just warmed through. This method melts the cheese back nicely without making it rubbery and helps keep chicken juicy. The microwave works if you’re in a rush, but be careful with the cheese — warm in short intervals to avoid toughness.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used and offer a bit more juiciness and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs may take a little longer to cook through.
What if I don’t have fresh mozzarella?

Fresh mozzarella has that perfect creamy melt, but if you don’t have it on hand, sliced provolone or even fresh slices of cheddar could work in a pinch. Just keep in mind the flavor and texture will change slightly.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! This Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe uses naturally gluten-free ingredients, making it safe to enjoy if you’re avoiding gluten.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prep the chicken and tomato mixture ahead, but I recommend adding and melting the mozzarella just before serving to keep that fresh, gooey cheese experience.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Caprese Skillet Recipe has become one of those go-to meals I find myself making over and over – not just because it’s delicious and quick, but because it brings that little restaurant-feel into my own kitchen. It’s perfect whenever you want to impress without stress, and the fresh ingredients make it feel light and satisfying. Between the melty mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, and fragrant basil, you’ll find yourself reaching for seconds – and maybe even thirds. So, grab your skillet and give it a try; you won’t regret it!