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Caprese Chicken

Course Chicken, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian Inspired, Southern
Keyword caprese-chicken-recipe, easy-caprese-chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Stand time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 360kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4 6-8 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning divided use
  • 1/4 cup finely diced sweet onion
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar divided use
  • 4 Tbsp light brown sugar divided use
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • fresh basil or Italian parsley for garnishing

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Drizzle a large cast iron skillet or similar oven safe skillet with olive oil over medium high heat.
  • Season chicken on all sides with garlic salt, black pepper and 1 tsp Italian seasoning. Sear on both sides in the pan for 1-2 minutes to brown. Remove from pan.
  • To the pan add onion. Saute over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until softened scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, add garlic cooking for 1 minute.
  • To the skillet add 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, remaining Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk until combined and cook over medium heat just until slightly thickened 2-4 minutes.
  • Return chicken to the skillet turning to coat with the sauce. Arrange the whole cherry tomatoes around the edge of the skillet and between the chicken breasts.
  • Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached and juices run clear. Sprinkle each chicken breasts with cheese during the last 5 minutes to melt.
  • Sauce: While the chicken bakes in a small saucepan simmer the remaining 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar and brown sugar over medium low heat. You can thicken with 1-2 Tbsp of cornstarch dissolved in a small amount of cold water, if desired. 
  • Remove chicken from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Serve drizzled with the sauce and garnished with chopped basil or Italian parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 964mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 1014IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 341mg | Iron: 2mg