Serves 4
45 min
Chicken Caprese
Recipe GLPR6880ee4e2a4e53
This elegant Mediterranean dish features warm cooked chicken topped with layers of ripe tomato and creamy fresh mozzarella, finished with a quick broil to soften the cheese. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar and fragrant basil complete this classic Caprese-style preparation. Simple, sophisticated, and ready in under an hour.
Save recipes you love
Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pre-cooked), each about 6 oz
2 large ripe tomatoes
8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 inch thick)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons aged balsamic vinegar
1 sprig fresh basil (or 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat your broiler to high and position the oven rack about 6-8 inches below the heat source. If using pre-cooked chicken breasts from the refrigerator, gently reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until they are warmed through but not overcooked. Alternatively, warm them briefly in a skillet over medium heat or microwave on 50% power until heated throughout.
While the chicken warms, slice the tomatoes into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will help prevent the broiler pan from getting soggy.
Arrange the warmed chicken breasts on a broiler-safe baking sheet or ovenproof skillet. Beginning with a tomato slice on top of each breast, alternate layers of tomato and mozzarella, overlapping them slightly until each chicken piece has 2 mozzarella slices and tomato slices in between.
Drizzle the olive oil evenly across the top of all four prepared chicken breasts. Place the baking sheet under the preheated broiler for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully, until the mozzarella cheese begins to melt and soften. The cheese should be warm and creamy but still hold its shape.
Remove the chicken from the broiler and season the mozzarella and tomato layers with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar over each chicken breast. Tear or chop the fresh basil and sprinkle it generously over the top, or dust with dried Italian herbs if using. Serve immediately while the cheese is still warm.
