Italian Caprese Chicken Skillet

Italian-inspired chicken with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze cooked in one skillet for easy weeknight dining.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt

03 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Caprese Topping

05 - 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced

06 - 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

07 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Balsamic Glaze

08 - ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar

09 - 1 tablespoon honey

# Method:

01 - Season both sides of chicken breasts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from skillet and set aside.

03 - Reduce heat to medium. Arrange tomato slices on top of the chicken breasts, then layer mozzarella slices over the tomatoes. Cover the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts completely.

04 - While cheese is melting, combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a syrupy consistency.

05 - Sprinkle fresh basil over the chicken and drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is a dream and the flavors layer naturally as you go.
The combination of melted mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and that sticky-sweet balsamic glaze tastes way fancier than the effort required.

02 -

Don't skip drying the chicken before seasoning, or it will steam instead of sear and you'll lose that crispy golden edge.
Use fresh mozzarella from the deli or dairy section, not the pre-shredded kind, because it melts into creamy pools instead of clumping up.

03 -