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Baked Caprese chicken brings together all the classic flavors of a Caprese salad—ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil—into one irresistible, family-friendly chicken dinner. It’s simple, fresh, and loaded with flavor… and trust me, your whole family will love it just as much as mine does.

Why We Love This Recipe

One of the reasons I love this recipe so much is because it’s incredibly versatile. You can serve it with a side of pasta or a fresh salad for a complete meal, or even slice up the chicken and layer it on a homemade pizza or sandwich. It’s also the perfect way to use up garden-fresh tomatoes and basil during the summer months.

My kids are just as obsessed with the tomato, mozzarella, and basil combo as I am. They actually get excited when I say we’re having baked Caprese chicken for dinner—it’s become one of those meals they’ll ask for again and again, even when they’re grown.

If you love cooking with chicken, you can also try my braised chicken and leek recipe or our family’s favorite delicious pesto-stuffed chicken.

Ingredient Substitutes 

While I always suggest trying the recipe as written the first time, here are some easy swaps and variations you can try:

  • Add ¼ cup of chicken broth for a more tender, braised texture
  • Use goat cheese or feta instead of mozzarella for a tangier flavor
  • Sun-dried tomatoes can replace fresh ones for a richer taste
  • Use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for extra moisture and flavor
  • Swap in chicken thighs or tenders for a quicker-cooking option
  • Dried basil works if fresh isn’t available.
ingredients to make baked caprese chicken

How to Make the Best Baked Caprese Chicken

This simple chicken recipe comes together quickly and uses just a few high-quality ingredients. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large Roma or heirloom tomatoes, sliced
  • 8–10 cherry tomatoes
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • ¼ cup pesto (or make your own with my fresh basil pesto recipe)
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
all the ingredients to make caprese baked chicken

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or enamel crock.
  2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
sprinking salt on to chicken breasts by hand
  1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat, add garlic, and cook until fragrant—about 1–2 minutes.
cutting tomatoes to make baked Caprese chicken
  1. Brown the chicken on both sides for 3–4 minutes per side.
  2. Transfer to your baking dish—or leave in your enamel skillet if using one.
cutting mozzarella for making Caprese chicken
  1. Top each chicken breast with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella.
  2. Add a dollop of pesto and scatter the cherry tomatoes around the pan.
layering tomatoes on to chicken breasts to make Caprese chicken
layering mozzarella cheese on to tomatoes and chicken breasts to make baked caprese chicken
cherry tomatoes layered on top of the baked Caprese chicken ready to be baked
  1. Bake for 20–25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
adding fresh bail to the top of Caprese chicken
  1. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil. Finish this chicken caprese recipe with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
baked Caprese chicken on a plat with baslamic vinegar and fresh basil

Serve it with a side of pasta or a salad, and Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks 

Here are a few tips to make this easy dinner baked Caprese chicken recipe even better:

  • Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking to ensure they cook evenly.
  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. This includes fresh tomatoes, good-quality mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
  • If you prefer a crispy crust on your chicken, you can dredge the chicken breasts in flour before cooking.
  • Marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a few hours before cooking for a more flavorful dish.
baked Caprese chicken ready for the oven

Try Baked Caprese Chicken With

​Although the recipe tastes so good, you can add any of these variations for a slightly different dish.

  • Add balsamic vinegar glaze or balsamic reduction to the dish for a sweet and tangy flavor.
  • Use cherry or grape tomatoes instead of sliced Roma tomatoes for a different presentation.
  • Add sliced onions or bell peppers to the dish for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a more juicy and flavorful dish.
  • Sprinkle some Italian seasoning on top for a slightly different taste.
  • Add some cooked pasta to the baking dish for a one-pan meal.
fresh tomatoes beside

Baked Caprese Chicken Storage Tips

Got leftovers? Here’s how to keep them fresh:

  • Let the dish cool completely
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
  • Reheat in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 15–20 minutes

Pro Tip: Slightly undercook the chicken the first time if you know you’ll be reheating it. This helps it stay juicy. Keep any pasta or sides stored separately to avoid sogginess or flavor mixing. Flavorful as freshly baked chicken. If you plan to store the chicken for later, you should undercook it slightly to prevent it from drying out during reheating. Keep the chicken separately from any pasta or other side dishes to avoid the flavors from mingling and the pasta from becoming soggy.

Caprese Chicken baked with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil pesto, mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar glaze

Shop The Kitchen

I get so many requests for items in my kitchen that I have started including what I use in my recipes. If you aren’t finding what you are looking for or if you want to see some of the other items from my home, head over to my Amazon Shop or the B Vintage Style Shop.

Other Recipes To Try

Baked Caprese chicken is one of those easy chicken recipes that taste great with so many side dishes. Try it with a side salad, green beans, or any of these delicious options:

Or if you are looking for another delicious one-of-a-kind recipe, give my Béchamel Lasagna With Sweet Italian Sausage and Swiss Chard a try!

Readers Questions

Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work great and are very flavorful.

Fresh is definitely best, but canned tomatoes can work in a pinch. I look for canned tomatoes that are from Italy for the best freshness and flavor.

Absolutely. Assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5 extra minutes to the bake time if it’s going in cold.

Yes. Fontina, provolone, or goat cheese are great alternatives.

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baked Caprese chicken with balsamic vinegar glaze

Baked Caprese Chicken

Baked Caprese chicken is a delicious, easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Using easy to find, fresh ingredients like mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil, this recipe is a must try!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: from scratch recipes, lunch & dinner meals
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: baked Caprese chicken, caprese baked chicken, caprese chicken, easy chicken recipe, how to make baked caprese chicken
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 264kcal
Cost: 25

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 Enamel crock or baking tray medium size

Ingredients

  • 4 whole chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • salt and black pepper to taste and freshly ground
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 large roma tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes sliced
  • 8-10 cherry tomatoes whole, multi colored
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese fresh and sliced
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto fresh
  • 1/4 cup basil fresh and chopped
  • 2 tbsps balsamic glaze

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Grease an enamel crock or baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Heat the olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
  • Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook on each side for 3-4 minutes until browned.Transfer the chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish, or if you are using an enamel cast crock like I am, you can leave them in there.
  • Slice the Roma or heirloom tomatoes into 1/4-inch slices. Next, thinly slice the mozzarella cheese, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices.
  • Top each chicken breast with tomato slices and fresh cheese. 
  • Add a few dollops of fresh basil pesto to the top of the chicken, and then sprinkle the cherry tomatoes around the skillet too.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the juicy chicken breast is cooked through, and the mozzarella cheese is melted and bubbly. The chicken breast should be golden brown with melted mozzarella on top.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil. Finish this chicken caprese recipe with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Notes

  • Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking to ensure they cook evenly.
  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. This includes fresh tomatoes, good-quality mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
  • If you prefer a crispy crust on your chicken, you can dredge the chicken breasts in flour before cooking.
  • Marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a few hours before cooking for a more flavorful dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 570mg | Potassium: 207mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1216IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 326mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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