This delicious Crispy Chicken Caprese comes together in about 30 minutes and features a sheet pan cooking method for a quick dinner that your family will love! You can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends. Whether it’s a hectic weeknight or a lazy Sunday, this recipe’s here to save you!
Ingredients Breakdown
- 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 Cup Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
- 1 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, Sliced
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Quick and Easy Crispy Chicken Caprese
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). You want it nice and hot so you can get that crispy texture going!
In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Set it aside, it’s going to make our chicken super flavorful!
Coat each chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing it on to really stick. We want every bite to be crispy and delicious!
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium heat. Once hot (like, you’ll see it shimmer a bit), add the chicken and sear it for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Oh man, the smell is already divine!
Now, take your pan off the heat and place the chicken in a baking dish. Layer it with halved cherry tomatoes and slices of mozzarella. You can scatter them around like confetti, it’ll look beautiful!
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Seriously, this is the moment of truth. Just peek through the oven glass and watch it transform!
While it’s baking, bring the balsamic vinegar to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens up nicely. Stir occasionally because you don’t want it to burn!
When everything comes out of the oven, drizzle that thickened balsamic reduction over the chicken. Make sure to sprinkle with fresh basil before serving!
A Family Favorite Meal
This Quick and Easy Crispy Chicken Caprese has become one of my family’s beloved meals. It’s my go-to when I need something delicious yet simple. Funny story: I made this the other night, and my picky eight-year-old actually asked for seconds! I can’t tell you how rare that is! I’m a real sucker for recipes like this that make everyone happy while being super easy to whip up. And the best part? You can use whatever you’ve got on hand.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my my Pesto Chicken Salad, my Southwest Chicken Salad, or my Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
One of the beautiful things about this recipe is that it comes together in under 30 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you don’t want to stress about dinner. Just imagine quick prep, throw it in the oven, and you’re free to unwind a bit while it cooks.
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and is just the type of comfort food that brings everyone together. Juicy chicken, melty cheese, and sweet tomatoes combined in one meal? Yes, please!
Customizable
The best part is that you can switch up the ingredients based on what you have in the fridge. Don’t like basil? Toss in some spinach or arugula. Have a zucchini lying around? Toss it in alongside those tomatoes. If you want to make it lighter, you can serve it over a bed of fresh greens!
Crowd-Pleaser
Trust me, the whole family will love this! It’s the kind of meal that looks fancy but is so easy to make, everyone will think you’re a culinary wizard.
Make-Ahead Friendly
You can prep the chicken and the breadcrumb mixture in advance. Just store it covered in the refrigerator, and when you’re ready to eat, sear it and then bake it! This makes meal-planning a breeze.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Crispy Chicken Caprese
I love serving this dish warm, right out of the oven. Pair it with a side of garlic bread or a crisp side salad to really elevate it! If you’re feeling fancy, a glass of red wine would pair beautifully too.
Storage
This chicken keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days, so you can enjoy the leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat your chicken, simply pop it back in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. You could also microwave it, but just know it won’t be quite as crispy.
Freezer Friendly
If you’re looking to freeze it, I’d suggest freezing it before cooking. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, and then follow the cooking instructions when ready. You can also freeze leftover portions for a quick meal down the line!
This Crispy Chicken Caprese is just a dream come true for weeknights. If making your family happy and keeping dinner stress-free is your goal, this recipe is a must. I can’t wait to hear how your family enjoys it! And remember, cooking is all about having fun, so enjoy the process!
See you in the kitchen! If you have any more questions or are looking for specific tweaks to the recipe, don’t hesitate to reach out! Happy cooking! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!