Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet (Printable Version)
Juicy chicken breasts with zucchini, tomatoes, and melted mozzarella in a 40-minute one-pan skillet.
# What You 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 internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
03 - In the same skillet, add remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add zucchini slices to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just tender but still holding their shape.
05 - Add cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.
06 - Return chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them among the vegetables. Arrange so each piece has contact with the pan bottom.
07 - Top each chicken breast with sliced mozzarella. Cover skillet with lid and cook for 2–3 minutes until cheese is fully melted and slightly bubbling.
08 - Remove from heat. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, sprinkle generously with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything happens in one pan so you spend less time cleaning and more time eating
- The combination of warm melted mozzarella and cool fresh basil hits different kind of satisfying
02 -
- Dry chicken thoroughly before cooking or it will steam instead of sear no matter how hot your pan gets
- Do not crowd the pan when cooking the chicken or the temperature drops and you lose that golden crust
03 -
- Marinate the chicken in olive oil and herbs for 30 minutes ahead of time if you have the extra time
- Use a cast iron skillet if you have one for better heat distribution and those gorgeous crispy edges