Picture this: tender, juicy chicken thighs topped with melty fresh mozzarella cheese, sweet balsamic glaze, and fresh basil. All of that, cooked together in just one pan! These One Pan Balsamic Caprese Chicken Thighs are the perfect weeknight dinner.
Reader Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Just as promised, this recipe is easy and so delicious...we love it!!
A definite repeat...thanks!"
- Kris
This caprese balsamic chicken is simple to make, but packed with flavor. Plus, it's got everything you love about caprese salad, but with a hearty, savory twist. Your kitchen is about to smell amazing, and you'll have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes!
I've always loved the classic caprese combo. Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic. It's so simple yet full of flavor! Along with the delicious fresh flavors, what makes this recipe so great is that it's all done in one pan. Less cleanup and more time to enjoy an easy family dinner!
If you are looking for more dinner ideas, try one of these great recipes: Creamy Chicken and Veggie Soup, Roasted Apple and Chicken Panini or Smoky Skillet Roasted Red Pepper Chicken.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- With everything cooked in one skillet, cleanup is simple and quick.
- It's ready in under 30 minutes, so it's great for fast dinners.
- This one pan caprese chicken recipe uses everyday ingredients, many of which you probably already have on hand.
Ingredients
Here are notes about some of the ingredients needed to make this caprese chicken recipe. For the full recipe and measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Olive oil: For better quality, opt for extra virgin olive oil, which generally has a more robust flavor and higher antioxidant content.
- Balsamic vinegar: For the best flavor, choose a high-quality balsamic vinegar that's rich, thick, and naturally sweet.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic: Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Salt & black pepper
- Chicken thighs: You will need 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Tomatoes: I prefer to use grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for this recipe.
- Mozzarella cheese: Use slices of fresh mozzarella.
- Balsamic glaze: You can use a store-bought balsamic glaze as a garnish, or easily make your own balsamic reduction. (See expert tips below!)
- Basil: Use fresh basil leaves as garnish.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken thighs: You could substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but be sure to adjust cooking time.
- Garlic: Use garlic powder or roasted garlic for a milder garlic flavor.
- Fresh mozzarella: If fresh mozzarella is unavailable, feel free to top with freshly grated mozzarella cheese. If you wanted to take it a whole notch higher, top with burrata cheese.
This easy recipe has not been tested with these substitutions. If you give any of these a try, please let me know how it worked out in the comments below!
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet: Use a large cast iron skillet to ensure there is enough room for the chicken and tomatoes. I use mine for so many things and it is an essential item in my kitchen!
- Meat thermometer: An instant-read thermometer is such a great kitchen tool. You can easily determine when the chicken is ready and can prevent overcooking.
Step by Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Marinade
In a large bowl, combine ¼ cup olive oil, water, balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well mixed.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then add them to the marinade. Toss to fully coat the chicken. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
3. Cook the Chicken and Tomatoes
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and marinated chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them among the tomatoes. Cook for 8 minutes or until a nice golden brown.
4. Flip and Continue Cooking
Carefully flip each chicken thigh over and cook for another 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Add the Mozzarella
Once cooked, flip the chicken over again and turn off the heat. Place a slice of mozzarella on top of each chicken thigh, allowing it to melt.
6. Serve
Drizzle with balsamic glaze, top with fresh basil and serve. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Here are some tips and tricks for making this chicken caprese recipe:
- You can buy a store-bought balsamic glaze for drizzling on the cooked chicken or you can make your own. To make your own, simply simmer 1 cup of balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat until it reduces by half and thickens to a syrupy consistency. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Allow it to cool slightly before drizzling over the chicken.
- To speed up the melting of the mozzarella, place a cover over the skillet for a couple of minutes or until the cheese melts before serving.
- You can serve this finished dish over quinoa, rice or pasta. We prefer to eat it with pasta!
FAQ
Yes, you can use bone-in chicken thighs instead of boneless, but be aware that they will take longer to cook. Make sure to check for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked. I wouldn't add the tomatoes until you have flipped the chicken for the first time or you'll overcook the tomatoes.
Yes, you can prepare the marinade in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. As for marinating the chicken, it's best to marinate it for at least 15 minutes, but you can let it sit for up to 4 hours for even more flavor.
Yes, you can easily make this recipe in the oven! To do so, preheat your oven to 400°F. After marinating the chicken, place the chicken thighs and tomatoes in a baking dish, and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Add the mozzarella cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking to let it melt before serving.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Eat within 3-4 days.
Freezer
Freeze leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag, and they will keep well for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, or microwave in short bursts until warmed through.
More Recipes To Try
Looking for other recipes to make? Try these:
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Recipe
One Pan Balsamic Caprese Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic, about 2 cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- 6 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- Balsamic glaze
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ¼ cup olive oil, water, vinegar, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir with a whisk to combine.5 tablespoons olive oil, ¼ cup water, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, about 2 cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the bowl with the marinade and mix to fully coat each chicken thigh. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- In a large skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and chicken to the skillet, nestling the chicken in among the tomatoes.1 cup grape tomatoes
- Cook for 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip each thigh over and cook for 8 more minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Flip the chicken over one more time and turn the heat off. Add a slice of mozzarella to the top of each chicken thigh and allow the cheese to melt.6 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- Drizzle with a balsamic glaze, top with fresh basil, serve, and enjoy!Balsamic glaze, Fresh basil
Nutrition Information
Please note that these nutrition facts are approximations and may not be entirely precise.
Ashlyn Meredith says
We love this for busy weeknights. It also makes great leftovers the next day!
Kris says
Just as promised, this recipe is easy and so delicious...we love it!!
A definite repeat...thanks!
Jean says
This was so quick and easy and delicious. A new favorite for a great dish with so little preparation.