This chicken caprese is a fresh, flavorful dinner made with juicy chicken, ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil all finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. We love to use the grill but you can also bake in the oven or fry in a pan. Bonus points for being a quick and healthy chicken recipe!
It’s everything you love about a classic caprese salad, turned into an easy, satisfying main dish. Whether you grill it, bake it, or cook it in a skillet, this caprese chicken recipe comes together quickly and feels just a little bit elevated without any extra effort.
What is Chicken Caprese?
Chicken caprese is a simple dish inspired by the classic Italian caprese salad, made with chicken, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Caprese
- Hands-on prep time is less than 30 minutes
- Fresh, simple ingredients
- Naturally low-carb (8g) and high-protein (61g)
- Works on the grill, stovetop, or oven
- Perfect for weeknights or entertaining
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Breasts: the juicy, protein-packed base
- Tomatoes: fresh and vibrant
- Fresh Mozzarella: creamy and melty
- Fresh Basil: adds bright, herby flavor
- Balsamic Glaze: sweet and tangy finish
- Olive Oil + Seasonings: simple flavor builders
👉 Optional (but highly recommended!): balsamic marinade for extra flavor (see below)
How to Make Chicken Caprese
- Prepare the chicken: Season (or marinate) the chicken breasts.
- Cook the chicken: Grill, bake, or pan-sear until fully cooked (see section below for instructions for each).
- Add toppings: Top each piece with sliced mozzarella and tomatoes.
- Melt the cheese: Let the mozzarella melt slightly in the broiler.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve immediately while warm and melty.
👉 Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally.
Ways to Cook Chicken Caprese
Grilled Chicken Caprese – Adds smoky flavor and is perfect for summer.
- Heat a grill to medium-high heat, then add the chicken and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
Baked Chicken Caprese – Easy, hands-off and great for weeknights.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Place the chicken in a baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray and bake for 30 minutes uncovered, or until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
This Chicken Caprese Sandwich has chicken breasts, with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, all tucked into a warm ciabatta roll slathered with pesto. It’s fresh and full of flavor and checks every box. It all comes together in one bite, exactly the way a caprese sandwich should.
This recipe is one we’ve been making and tweaking for years, ever since friends first introduced it to us. I love a good caprese, but let’s be honest, not all caprese sandwiches are created equal. Some are good and simple, and others are the kind that make you forget all conversation at the table. This chicken caprese sandwich is firmly in that second category.
Many of you have loved our balsamic glazed caprese sandwich, but this version actually came first. It’s easy to adapt, whether you make it with chicken, vegetarian, or gluten-free, and it’s been a go-to ever since. However you make it, this is one sandwich worth keeping in your rotation.
Ingredients For Chicken Caprese Sandwiches
This Caprese Chicken Sandwich is the perfect solution for turning leftover chicken breasts into something fresh, flavorful, and exciting. Transform your leftovers into a meal that is anything but ordinary.
- Skinless Chicken Breasts: juicy, grilled base for the sandwich
- Olive Oil: used to cook the chicken and add richness
- Garlic: lightly infuses the oil for extra flavor
- Pesto: Made from fresh basil leaves, herbs, kosher salt, black pepper, pine nuts, and parmesan. Adds classic basil flavor and moisture
- Fresh Mozzarella: Slices of Fresh Mozzarella Cheese melt over the chicken for a creamy caprese layer. It really has to be fresh mozz…it’s just soooooo much better for this type of sandwich!
- Roma Tomatoes: fresh tomato slices that balance the richness
- Balsamic Vinegar Glaze: A sweet, tangy drizzle of balsamic glaze is the perfect finish to the sandwich
- Ciabatta Rolls or Kaiser Rolls: sturdy, toasted rolls perfect for caprese sandwiches
All the measurements and details can be found in the recipe card below.
My Secrets to the BEST Chicken Caprese Sandwich!
This Roasted Tomato Basil Soup is easy to make, and we topped it with grilled cheese croutons just for fun! A simple dinner that kids will love!
I know that I can’t be the only one that still has tomato coming out her ears. Right? I was wracking my brain about what to do with our huge colander stacked high with tomatoes, when I suddenly thought, what if I use those flavors, but make a soup to help move us into fall?
DING DING DING! Creamy tomato basil soup with mini grilled cheese croutons was born.
I love those little grilled cheese bites that act like little croutons in the soup. I’m not even kidding, it’s so delicious together.
Ingredients in Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
To make this easy fresh tomato soup recipe, you’ll need the following:
- Fresh tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Salt and pepper
- Dark brown sugar
- Chicken broth
- PRO TIP: If you want to make this recipe vegetarian, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
- Heavy cream
- Fresh basil leaves
- Baguette
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- Butter
The measurements for all the ingredients are listed in the recipe card at the end of the post. I actually love to make several batches of this recipe so I can freeze a bunch to eat throughout the whole winter. There is just nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of tomato basil soup with a little fresh parmesan cheese sprinkled on top and a grilled cheese sandwich on the side for dipping! Yes please!
What Are the Best Tomatoes for Tomato Soup?
We recommend using Roma tomatoes or vine ripened tomatoes for this creamy tomato basil soup. Avoid using beefsteak tomatoes, as we find they lack the bold flavor this soup needs. Larger tomatoes also hold a lot of water which thins out a soup.
Should the Tomatoes Be Peeled?
Peeling the tomatoes is optional but I haven’t ever felt like it was necessary. Roasting the tomatoes softens the tomato skin and blending them breaks them down until you would never know the skins were on. If you do want to peel them, the skins should slide off easily right after roasting the tomatoes.
How to Make Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Making tomato basil soup with fresh tomatoes is easier than you might think! Here’s an overview of the recipe:
- Roast tomatoes: Roast the tomatoes until soft and then let them cool a little.
- Blend: Add the tomatoes to a blender and blend until pureed.
- PRO TIP: If you have an immersion blender, you can use that instead. Move the tomatoes to a large bowl or sauce pan and blend the tomatoes there. Then they are easily measured to make sure you have enough.
- Sauté: Heat up some olive oil in a large sauce pot then add the garlic and onions and sauté until fragrant.<
The BEST caprese salad with pistachios recipe is right here! There’s nothing like finding a good recipe for fresh from the garden tomatoes.
This caprese salad is so light and refreshing and oooooooooohhhhhhhh so wonderful during the summer when you can pick the tomatoes straight from your garden. I had no idea tomatoes could even be that delicious until I tried my first homegrown tomato. It’s like a totally different thing. Am I right, gardeners?!
We love pistachios too and threw some on top of this pretty salad one night and we both found ourselves digging for the pistachios which could only mean one thing, they were meant to be. That added crunch is molto buono!
Recommended Equipment
Before You Begin…
Slice your tomatoes nice and thick! I love a meaty bite of garden fresh tomato! And slice your mozzarella into thick slices too.
What is a Caprese Salad?
Caprese salad is a simple Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and sweet basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil.
Ingredients for Caprese Salad
Have I ever told you we love caprese salad? No? Well, we do. Like, a lot. Especially when it has a really nice balsamic vinegar (not the cheapest no name stuff at the store). And even more so when it’s the best caprese salad with pistachios. Here is everything you will need…
- Tomatoes: heirloom or vine ripe tomatoes
- Mozzarella: it has to be fresh!
- Pistachios: shelled and either lightly salted or no salt added
- Basil: fresh leaves only
- Olive Oil: you’ll only need a drizzle but a good quality oil will make all the difference
- Balsamic Vinegar: go for a higher quality vinegar or even a balsamic glaze
- Salt and Pepper: just for a little extra flavor
The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
What Kind of Mozzarella is Best for Caprese Salad?
You absolutely have to use fresh mozzarella to get the full caprese experience! The part skim or low moisture mozzarella, while cheaper, is saltier and won’t grab on to the flavors like fresh mozzarella does. You can get the fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) if you want, but we love the big hunks of a block of fresh mozz.
If you absolutely need a substitute, then burrata will be your best bet.
What Type of Tomatoes are Best for Caprese Salad?
If you have access to fresh tomatoes straight from the garden, then go with those! Get some at a farmers market or maybe your neighbor! They just can’t be beat!
If store bought is your only option, then go with vin
I love all the flavors of caprese, so making garlic pesto caprese burgers just seemed like the logical next step.
The juicy beef patty has pesto mixed in, and then we grill it and top it with melty Havarti cheese, tomatoes, crispy lettuce and a tasty garlic mayo between a toasty brioche bun.
I’ve never really been a hamburger girl. I’ve always thought they were too dry and grainy. I realize that may not seem too American to hate a hamburger, but I think I may always prefer a panini, turkey club or something of that sort. Well, that’s not true. Lately I’ve been trying hamburgers to see if I could find one I like. This garlic pesto caprese burger, well, I secretly kinda loved it…
Ingredients for Garlic Pesto Caprese Burgers
This is just an overview of the ingredients you will need to make these scrumptious burgers. For all the measurements and instructions for making the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post.
For the Burgers
- Ground Beef Chuck: Go to your butcher and ask for a mix of this and ground sirloin. Having a good blend of meat makes a huge difference when it comes to flavor.
- Ground Sirloin: Combined with the beef chuck, it creates such great flavor.
- Pesto: You can make your own or buy some at the store.
- Salt and Pepper: adds flavor
- Brioche Hamburger Buns: You want a really good quality bun that is hearty enough to hold up to a juicy burger but also not so heavy that it takes away from the flavor of the burger.
Burger Toppings
- Green Leaf Lettuce: We love the way green leaf lettuce looks and tastes.
- Campari Tomatoes: These tomatoes have such great flavor, but if you can’t find them, you could go with a vine ripe tomato.
- Havarti Cheese: adds creaminess and just a touch of sweetness that is perfection on this burger
- Balsamic Glaze: You would use just balsamic vinegar if you don’t have a glaze.
For the Garlic Mayo
- Light Mayo: You don’t have to use light mayo, but it really tastes great and I like it to be lighter.
- Dijon Mustard: adds a little tanginess
- Garlic: adds flavor
- Salt and Pepper: adds flavor
Which Cheese is Best for Caprese Burgers
I decided that since we were doing a caprese style burger, then we might as well add Mozzarella, but ultimately it was the Havarti Cheese that really won us over. There’s slightly more flavor than mozzarella, yet it still melts down beautifully. The flavor is subtly sweet with a light note that pairs it perfectly with garlic and pesto.
How to Avoid Burger Shrinking when Cooking
I have discovered a little trick to keep them nice a