Caprese Skillet Chicken is a healthy, colorful stove top 30 minute meal that will get raves from everybody — be prepared to make this on a weekly basis because the family’s going to demand it!
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This recipe for Caprese Skillet Chicken comes from the brand new, hot off the presses The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook, from one of my best blogging buddies, Mary, from Barefeet in the Kitchen. We got to know each other virtually when we were just newbie bloggers, and we’ve becomme great friends ever since. Mary’s cooking style is down home, authentic, hearty, and always delicious. She feeds three hungry boys and a husband on a daily basis and she’s mastered the art of the quick dinner. I’ve made so many of Mary’s recipes over the years and I can’t think of a more trusted source for great food.
True story — when it came time for me to make this chicken, I gathered all my ingredients together about an hour before dinnertime just like I do every night. I started to go through the recipe and quickly realized that the whole thing was going to be done in a matter of MINUTES, and I was going to be waaaaay early with the meal…so I had to put everything aside and go read a book (aka surf Pinterest) for an hour before I needed to get to work 🙂 If I had been more observant, and less eager to eat, I would have noticed that my Caprese Skillet Chicken was part of Mary’s 15-25 Minute Meals Section — thanks Mary for a lightning quick and super delicious meal, and thanks for all the extra free time!
What makes this meal so brilliant, and so fast, is that the chicken breasts are sliced in half lengthwise, so they cook in no time, and the mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil get warmed through, just enough to get the cheese all melty, but not long enough to destroy that wonderful fresh flavor and texture that Caprese is famous for.
Sue’s tips for making Caprese chicken
Consider using colorful heirloom tomatoes for an extra special dish. Each color has their own particular flavor.
Fresh mozzarella is notoriously difficult to slice, especially thinly. For an easier time of it, freeze the cheese for 2 hours to firm it up.Â
Serve with rice, couscous, or crusty bread for soaking up the juices.
Recipe from The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook
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Caprese Skillet Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 3, or 6 chicken cutlets
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus a pinch for finishing
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for finishing
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
- 2 medium tomatoes, I used heirlooms and a few cherry tomatoes for garnish)
- 8 large basil leaves
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- balsamic vinegar, for drizzling
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, making thin cutlets. If the chicken is still more than 1/2 inch thick, lightly pound the cutlets until they are an even 1/2 inch in thickness. Sprinkle the chicken with the salt, pepper, and dried basil. Slice the cheese into 1/4 inch thick slices, slice the tomatoes into 1/4 inch thick slices, and slice the fresh basil into thin shreds. Set on a plate next to the stove.
- Warm a large stainless steel skillet over medium high heat, add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the chicken in a single layer across the skillet. Cook without touching for 90 seconds. Reduce the heat to medium. Flip the chicken over and top each piece of chicken with cheese and then tomato slices and cover with a lid. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes. The cheese should be just beginning to melt over the chicken.
- Remove from the heat, uncover and test the chicken for doneness. It should be white throughout with barely a hint of pink. Sprinkle the tomatoes lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper and top with the fresh basil. Drizzle with the balsamic just before serving.
Nutrition
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