Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet (Printable Version)

A vibrant one-pan dish featuring juicy chicken, fresh zucchini, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella, all finished with basil for a classic Caprese twist.

# 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 (optional)
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
11 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn

# How To Make It:

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 cooked through (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 and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just tender-crisp. Do not overcook.
05 - Add cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring gently, until tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.
06 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the vegetables. Arrange so each chicken breast sits on a bed of zucchini and tomatoes.
07 - Top each chicken breast with slices of fresh mozzarella. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
08 - Remove from heat. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, sprinkle with torn fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time eating
  • The combination of warm melted mozzarella and bright balsamic hits every craveable flavor note
  • It looks impressive but comes together in under 45 minutes, perfect for last-minute dinners
02 -
  • If your chicken breasts are especially thick, pound them to even thickness before cooking so they finish at the same time as the vegetables
  • The residual heat from the vegetables melts the cheese faster than you expect, so keep a close eye once you cover the skillet
03 -
  • Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute throughout the meat
  • Room temperature mozzarella melts more evenly than cold, so take it out of the fridge while you prep everything else

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