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Caprese Chicken Zucchini

Caprese Chicken Zucchini

Caprese Chicken Zucchini is a wholesome and vibrant Italian-inspired dish featuring juicy chicken breasts, tender zucchini, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy one-pan recipe combines lean protein with fresh vegetables and classic Caprese flavors, making it a healthy and visually appealing weeknight dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts (fresh, evenly sized)

Vegetables

  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Dairy

  • 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

Herbs & Oils

  • Fresh basil leaves, about 1/4 cup
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Condiments & Seasoning

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken and Zucchini: Wash and slice the zucchini into rounds about half an inch thick for even cooking. Pat the chicken breasts dry, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside while keeping the pan hot.
  3. Cook the Zucchini and Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Toss in the zucchini rounds and sauté until they start to get tender and golden, roughly 3-4 minutes. Add halved cherry tomatoes and minced garlic, cooking until tomatoes soften and release their juices.
  4. Assemble the Caprese Toppings: Return the chicken breasts to the pan. Top each piece evenly with fresh mozzarella slices and scatter basil leaves on top. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook on low heat until the cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Finish with Balsamic Glaze: Once the cheese is bubbly and gooey, drizzle balsamic glaze over the chicken and vegetables to add a tangy sweetness that ties all the flavors together perfectly.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken for even and faster cooking.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan; sauté zucchini in batches if needed to avoid steaming instead of browning.
  • Choose fresh mozzarella for superior flavor and meltability.
  • Rest the chicken briefly (about 5 minutes) before serving to lock in the juices.
  • Add fresh basil leaves at the end to preserve their flavor and color.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese, chicken, zucchini, Italian, quick dinner, healthy, gluten-free, one-pan