By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on October 2, 2026
Serves 4
1758 cal · 40 min
Baked Chicken Caprese
Recipe GLPR3b01c339953e57
Rate this recipe
Average rating: 4.5 (1)
A vibrant Italian-inspired dish featuring tender baked chicken breasts topped with melted fresh mozzarella, ripe tomato sauce, and aromatic basil. Served alongside delicate angel hair pasta for a restaurant-quality meal that's both simple and elegant.
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Ingredients
4 whole Boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black pepper
2 tbsp Olive oil
4 servings Angel hair pasta
8 oz Fresh mozzarella, sliced
15 large Fresh basil leaves
23 oz Pasta sauce (marinara or tomato-based)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking dish by lightly coating it with a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray.
In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a seasoning blend. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and rub both sides evenly with this seasoning mixture.
Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step adds flavor and begins the cooking process.
Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish, arranging them in a single layer.
Pour the pasta sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring each one is well coated.
Tear or chop 12 of the basil leaves into smaller pieces and scatter them over the sauced chicken. Reserve the remaining 3 whole basil leaves for garnish.
Arrange the fresh mozzarella slices on top of each chicken breast, dividing the cheese equally among the four pieces.
Bake uncovered in the preheated 400°F oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest part, and the mozzarella is melted and lightly golden.
While the chicken bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Remove the baked chicken from the oven and carefully top each breast with one of the reserved fresh basil leaves for a bright garnish.
Divide the cooked pasta among four serving plates, then top each portion with one baked chicken breast and some of the pan sauce. Serve hot and enjoy.
Comments
This is a reliable weeknight dish that checks every Charlotte box: chicken breast and pasta are staples at every major chain, mozzarella and jarred sauce are a dollar or two, and the ingredient list is short enough to grab on a single trip to Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or Walmart. The 40-minute stated time is honest if you use pre-made sauce and don't fuss with fresh basil—just add it at the end. The real advantage is that it reheats beautifully for lunch, and the cost per serving lands under $3 with standard grocery prices. The one caveat is that fresh basil wilts quickly after cooking, so for a family that values appearance or plans leftovers beyond the next day, dried basil works just as well and costs nothing extra.
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