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This Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken recipe is proof that fresh, delicious Italian cooking doesn’t have to be an all-day process.
Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken Recipe
The fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors are two of the main reasons why I love Italian cooking. What I don’t love though is having to spend a lot of time cleaning up afterward. In my opinion, if the meal wasn’t worth the cleanup, then that recipe probably is a “one and done” in my kitchen. Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken remains a repeat treat for my family. This meal is very healthy, very easy, and very simple. It should be no surprise that I like cooking this and love eating this given my affinity for balsamic reductions.
If you have seen some of my other recipes, then you might have caught on to the fact that I am a fan of sheet pan or one-skillet recipes. The Sheet Pan Cajun Shrimp Bake and One Skillet Enchiladas can usually be found in the rotation when I am planning the week’s meals for the family.
What Is Caprese Chicken?
Caprese salad comes from the Campania region of Italy. A traditional Caprese salad consists of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese, and is seasoned with salt and drizzled with olive oil. It is common to find arugula and balsamic reduction as well. Caprese chicken is pretty much what you would think, the delicious ingredients of the salad with chicken as well. The Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken recipe substitutes fresh basil with dried basil given that it will be baked in the oven. This recipe also has roasted yellow squash which is perfect for keeping the fresh vegetable motif as well as for feeding a crowded table.
What Does This Caprese Chicken Dish Taste Like?
Fresh, herbaceous, and flavorful. The ingredients, though common, are given a boost from the basil, and the mozzarella cheese helps bring all the ingredients together. The balsamic reduction provides sweetness but does not mask any of the other flavors.
Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – 2 pounds
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – 1 cup
- Balsamic reduction – 4 tablespoons
The Marinade:
- Balsamic vinegar – 4 tablespoons
- Honey – 3 tablespoons
- Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
- Dijon Mustard – 1 tablespoon
- Dried oregano – 1 teaspoon
- Dried basil – 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
- Onion powder – 1 teaspoon
- Coarse salt – 1 teaspoon
Vegetables:
- Yellow squash – 2, sliced into 1/4″ thick slices
- Tomatoes – 2, sliced
- Cherry tomatoes – 2 cups
How to Make This Caprese Chicken Recipe
This is a very simple recipe to make, however, keep in mind that there is a period of marinating the chicken to maximize the flavors. I would suggest prepping this in the morning, or the evening before so you can let it sit in the refrigerator for a while.
- Whisk together all the marinade ingredients and pour into a gallon-size freezer bag or Ziploc bag. Add chicken to the bag and thoroughly coat with the marinade. Place in the refrigerator and allow to sit for a minimum of 6 hours, up to overnight.
- When ready, remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature.
- Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Arrange chicken and vegetables in a single, even layer, and bake for 20 minutes (or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F).
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and return to oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is completely melted.
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction and serve.
Is Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken Considered Healthy?
This Caprese chicken recipe is very healthy. Chicken is a good source of lean protein. Yellow squash is low in carbohydrates, and also a decent source of Vitamin C, Iron, and Folate.
Can You Make This Caprese Chicken Recipe Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Given that there is a marinating period of at least 6 hours, you can make this recipe ahead of time. While the chicken is marinating, you can chop up your tomatoes and squash. Since there is very little prep work for this recipe, you can get everything set earlier in the day, or the day before, and all you need to do is put it in the oven when you are ready.
Can You Freeze Caprese Chicken?
One of the best qualities of Caprese chicken is its freshness. This is not a recipe that I would freeze for future use. I mean, technically you could, but those tomatoes would probably not have the best texture if you roast them, freeze them, then microwave them.
What to Serve with Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken?
Sheet pan meals are great because they are usually complete meals. If you want to add something to your plate, perhaps:
- A simple spinach salad
- Risotto
What Kitchen Tools Do I Need to Make Caprese Chicken?
Looking for More Easy Sheet Pan Meal Recipes?
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts approximately 2 pounds, sliced horizontally
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- 2 large yellow squash sliced ¼ inch thick
- 2 large tomatoes sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Whisk together all the marinade ingredients and pour into a gallon size freezer bag or Ziploc bag. Add chicken to the bag and thoroughly coat with the marinade. Place in the refrigerator and allow to sit for a minimum of 6 hours, up to overnight.
- When ready, remove marinated chicken from the refrigerator and allow to reach room temperature.
- Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Arrange chicken and vegetables in a single, even layer, and bake for 20 minutes (or until the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165° F).
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and return to oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is completely melted.
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction and serve.
