Imagine a dinner that transports you straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy, without spending hours in the kitchen. This Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal that's ridiculously easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress. With golden-brown chicken, burst-in-your-mouth cherry tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps achieve better browning and prevents steaming.
- Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Ensure even coverage for consistent flavor.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts, using your hands to coat them evenly, which helps promote golden browning.
- Arrange the chicken breasts on the sheet pan, spreading them out to ensure even cooking and space for the tomatoes.
- Scatter fresh cherry tomatoes around the chicken breasts, distributing them evenly across the pan.
- Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking, distribute fresh mozzarella balls over the chicken and tomatoes to allow slight melting.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven and let it rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over the chicken and tomatoes for added sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the dish just before serving for a burst of fresh herb aroma.
- Serve hot directly from the sheet pan, ensuring each portion includes chicken, roasted tomatoes, melted mozzarella, and fresh basil.
Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure perfect browning and prevent steaming.
- Use high-quality, fresh mozzarella balls for the best melting and flavor.
- Don't overcrowd the sheet pan - give ingredients space to roast properly.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature (165°F).
- Let the dish rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices and enhance flavor.
- Fresh basil is key - add it just before serving for maximum aromatic impact.
- For extra flavor, consider marinating chicken in olive oil and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Choose ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes for the best roasted result.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 110mg
