Grilled Chicken Caprese with Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, and Basil Recipe
This Chicken Caprese recipe is a quick and impressive dish perfect for dinner parties or family gatherings. Juicy grilled chicken breasts are seasoned and topped with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a satisfying Italian-inspired meal that’s simple to prepare and packed with fresh flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 chicken breasts (5–7 oz each), pounded to even thickness
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Caprese Toppings
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced into 8 even pieces
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced into ½ inch slices
- Fresh basil, to taste
- Aged balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place one chicken breast onto a sheet of parchment paper, fold the paper over, and pound to an even thickness of just less than 1 inch using a rolling pin. Set aside and repeat with the remaining breasts.
- Mix seasoning: Combine Italian seasoning, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cracked black pepper in a small bowl and stir well to blend.
- Season the chicken: Brush each chicken breast with olive oil, then evenly sprinkle the seasoning blend on both sides.
- Grill the chicken: Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 155°F. Do not cook fully yet to avoid dryness.
- Add mozzarella: Top each chicken breast with 2 slices of fresh mozzarella. Cover the grill or pan to help the cheese melt and continue grilling for another 3 minutes until cheese melts and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Assemble and serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Layer with 2-3 slices of tomato and sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top. Season with additional salt and pepper as desired. Just before serving, drizzle with aged balsamic vinegar or glaze. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Avoid cooking chicken to 165°F before adding cheese to prevent overcooked dry meat.
- Using a cover on your grill pan or closing a grill helps melt cheese evenly; an inverted cake pan works well.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check chicken temperature precisely, especially when cheese prevents usual doneness testing.
- To double the recipe using a grill pan, cook chicken in batches to 155°F, keep warm covered on a baking sheet, then top with mozzarella and melt cheese in a 500°F oven for 2-4 minutes until 165°F internal temp.
Keywords: Chicken Caprese, grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella chicken, Italian chicken recipe, summer dinner, balsamic chicken
