Balsamic Caprese Chicken Recipe
Balsamic Caprese Chicken melds the savory flavors of chicken thighs with the freshness of tomato, basil, and mozzarella. The addition of a tangy homemade balsamic sauce only heightens this harmonious blend.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Whisk
- cutting board
- knife
Ingredients
- Here’s what you’ll need:
- - 3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- - 2 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
- - Salt and freshly cracked pepper for seasoning
- - 2 garlic cloves minced
- - 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
- - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- - 1 tablespoon coarse mustard
- - 1 tablespoon honey
- - 8 oz. fresh mozzarella sliced into thick rounds
- - 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- - 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves sliced
- - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning adds a touch of herbaceous depth
- - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a subtle kick
Instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
- Begin by taking your boneless chicken thighs and placing them on a cutting board. Liberally season both sides with salt and freshly cracked pepper. This assures that each piece of chicken is well-seasoned, laying a flavorful groundwork for the dish.
Step 2: Heat the Skillet
- Grab a large skillet and place it on the stove over medium-high heat. Add in the olive oil and allow it to heat up until it shimmers. This typically takes about a minute. The hot oil will give the chicken a beautiful, golden crust.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
- Once the oil is glistening, carefully add the seasoned chicken thighs to the skillet. Cook each thigh for about 5-8 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a nice, golden brown color and for the chicken to be cooked through—no pink should remain. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Step 4: Sauté Garlic and Onion
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped red onion. Sauté these until the onions are translucent, which should take about 2 minutes. The leftover bits from the chicken will infuse the garlic and onion with wonderful flavor.
Step 5: Make the Balsamic Glaze
- Pour in the balsamic vinegar, followed by the coarse mustard and honey. Grab a whisk and stir the mixture vigorously, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This helps to build a depth of flavor in your glaze. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes. Stir often to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Return Chicken to the Skillet
- Now it’s time to add the chicken back into the pan. Place one slice of fresh mozzarella atop each chicken thigh. Cover the skillet with a lid and allow it to cook for another 3-5 minutes on medium-low heat. The cheese should melt beautifully during this last step.
Step 7: Add Fresh Ingredients
- Remove the skillet from heat once the cheese is melted to your liking. Top your chicken with the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil slices. This will introduce a pop of color and freshness that makes the dish visually appealing.
Step 8: Serve It Up
- Transfer the chicken to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle with some of the leftover balsamic sauce from the pan, if desired. Enjoy your delicious Balsamic Caprese Chicken right away!
Notes
- Use high-quality olive oil—this makes a difference in the flavor.
- If you want an extra layer of flavor, consider marinating the chicken in balsamic vinegar for 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Adjust the amount of honey based on your sweetness preference; you can always add more in during the glaze phase.
- You can substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes if that’s what you have on hand.
- Fresh mozzarella should be used for that creamy texture; avoid pre-shredded cheese for this dish.
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