30 Minute Caprese Chicken Bake Food

THE BEST CHICKEN CAPRESE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400° F.
• Use a thin, sharp knife to slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Season both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat with the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted into the olive oil, add the chicken breasts to the pan, being careful not to crowd. Cook on each side until lightly browned and easily release from the pan, about 3-4 minutes each.
• Slather the tops of each chicken breast with the basil pesto, about 1-2 tablespoons per chicken breast. Top each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella and a few slices of tomato. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

SHEET PAN CAPRESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil onto a rimmed baking sheet and use your fingers to evenly spread it out and coat the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Scatter the cherry tomatoes on the baking sheet and shake it back and forth so they become evenly coated in the oil and seasoning. Arrange the chicken in the center of the baking sheet, pushing the tomatoes out to the perimeter, and drizzle the chicken with the remaining tablespoon of oil.
• Bake until the tomatoes are soft, blistered and begin to burst, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the vinegar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat to medium and simmer until the vinegar has reduced by half and is thick enough to coat back of the spoon, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and drape a slice of mozzarella over each chicken breast. Bake until the cheese melts and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast has reached 160 degrees F, 5 to 7 minutes (the chicken will carryover cook to 165 F).
• Sprinkle the chicken and tomatoes with the basil and drizzle with the balsamic reduction. Spoon the collected pan juices over the tomatoes and chicken. Serve on a bed of arugula and with crusty bread to mop up the pan juices.

BAKED CAPRESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Pour 1/4 cup dressing into a small bowl.
• Arrange chicken breasts evenly in the center of a grill pan. Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with dressing; season with salt and pepper.
• Pour remaining 1/4 cup dressing into a mixing bowl. Add tomatoes and basil. Toss to coat evenly with the dressing.
• Spread the tomato mixture evenly around chicken in a single layer.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven and top chicken with fresh mozzarella; return pan to oven.
• Continue baking until mozzarella cheese is golden brown and bubbly and chicken is fully cooked, about 10 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).