Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet (Printable version)

Juicy chicken with zucchini, tomatoes, and melted mozzarella in a balsamic basil glaze.

# Ingredient list:

→ Meats

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
03 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

05 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced

→ Oils & Condiments

06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 2 tbsp balsamic glaze

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or oregano)
09 - ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
11 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn

# Directions:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, pressing the seasoning into the meat to adhere.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
03 - In the same skillet, add remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add zucchini slices to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just tender but still holding their shape.
05 - Add cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring gently, until tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.
06 - Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the vegetables. Arrange sliced mozzarella over each chicken breast. Cover with lid and cook for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from heat. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with torn fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you spend more time eating and less time scrubbing
  • The combination of warm melted mozzarella and cool fresh basil hits different every single time
02 -
  • Dry chicken means better browning so really take your time with those paper towels
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the vegetables will steam instead of getting those gorgeous browned edges
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes ahead of time when you remember, because it makes a huge difference
  • Let the skillet rest off the heat for 2 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly

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