Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken breasts with zucchini, tomatoes, and melted mozzarella in a balsamic-basil finish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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
11 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn

# How-To Guide:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, pressing the seasoning into the meat.
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 tent with foil to keep warm.
03 - Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add zucchini rounds to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just tender and beginning to show golden edges.
05 - Add cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until tomatoes start to blister and soften, releasing some 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 balsamic glaze over the skillet, sprinkle with torn fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its a complete meal with almost zero cleanup, perfect for those nights when loading the dishwasher feels like too much effort
  • The combination of hot melted mozzarella and sweet balsamic glaze hits every single comfort button
02 -
  • Cast iron retains heat beautifully but any oven-safe skillet with a lid will work perfectly
  • If your mozzarella isnt melting, splash in a tablespoon of water and cover for another minute
03 -
  • Pat those chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning, wet chicken steams instead of searing
  • Let the mozzarella come to room temperature while you cook so it melts faster and more evenly

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