Elevate dinner with this Caprese-stuffed chicken. Juicy and tender chicken is stuffed with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. Whether you host a dinner party and are looking for a dish to impress or just want a tasty weeknight dinner, this chicken breast recipe is a hit.
Walk on the Italian side and serve this Italian love cake for dessert. For another traditional dish, try my popular Italian wedding soup recipe. This mozzarella-stuffed chicken breast recipe is one you will enjoy; keep reading for the full recipe.
What is Caprese Stuffed Chicken?
Caprese chicken is a dish inspired by the Italian Caprese salad. This recipe butterflies a chicken breast and stuffs it with cheese, tomatoes, and basil. Then, you sear it and drizzle it with Balsamic glaze.
You have Italian herbs, spices, and more all in one flavorful dish that gives you flavors of Italy inspired by a Caprese salad, which is sliced tomatoes topped with mozzarella, basil, and a balsamic glaze.
Reasons You’ll Love This Caprese Stuffed Chicken Recipe…
- This fantastic chicken recipe is a bit different and more elegant than a traditional baked chicken recipe—fresh flavors stuffed with cheese and more for a game-changing flavor pairing.
- Easy to prep and offers a restaurant-worthy appeal!
- It is a healthy, tremendously protein-packed dinner option using fresh herbs and veggies for more flavor and nutrients.
- This dish offers a gorgeous presentation value and an incredible flavor that even kids will enjoy, so it is family-friendly.
Ingredients
Chicken: For this recipe, reach for chicken breast. It is a lean protein and perfect for cutting into a butterfly shape to stuff and pan-sear it easily.
Tomatoes: I used fresh and sun-dried tomatoes for this version to help infuse the dish with incredible, rich tomato flavor in each bite.
Mozzarella Cheese: Fresh mozzarella will help give you that ooey, gooey texture. It pairs nicely with basil and tomato as it is a very mild-flavored cheese.
Basil: The basil adds a pop of freshness and earthy flavor to the dish.
Garlic: The garlic will add depth and flavor to the chicken, which you will enjoy.
Balsamic Glaze: Once the chicken is done, this will be drizzled over it. Its tangy and sweet flavor nicely balances all the ingredients.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning add incredible flavor to the dish without overpowering the other ingredients.
Variations to Recipe
Spinach: Consider stuffing with sauteed spinach, feta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and tomatoes.
Pesto: Spread pesto sauce on top or inside the chicken breast and then top with parmesan cheese for a twist in flavor. You can leave off the balsamic or add it on still.
Pork: Instead of chicken, you can use a pork tenderloin that you can stuff with the ingredients, then slice into wedges and sear, or leave it whole and cook thoroughly, then cut into pieces after.
Mushrooms: Saute mushrooms and then top with the mushrooms before you drizzle on the balsamic for added flavor.
What to Pair with Stuffed Chicken
Are you unsure what to serve with this stuffed chicken? Let me help give you some great ideas. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, quinoa, or zucchini noodles. Or opt for your favorite roasted vegetables for a nutritional side dish.
Or, to go light, consider a light salad to pair next to the stuffed chicken to add a refreshing and crisp option. Feel free to play around with sides to find the best fit and preference for you and your family’s taste buds.
Tips for Success
Chicken Thickness
To ensure the chicken thoroughly cooks, I recommend pounding it out if it is too thick. Use a mallet to thin it out a bit. Then, use a sharp knife to filet the center and leave one end of the chicken still connected to create a pocket for stuffing.
Toothpicks
Secure the chicken with toothpicks to help secure the stuffed ingredients inside the chicken as you cook it up. Then, before serving, carefully remove and dispose of toothpicks.
Thin Slice Ingredients
When working with the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, slice both thinly. Remember that you will stuff the chicken with a handful of ingredients, so you don’t want it too full.
Internal Temperature of Chicken
Ensure the chicken’s internal temperature reads 165 degrees before removing it from the stovetop. That is the proper temperature to know that the chicken is fully cooked.
Storing Leftovers
You can store any chicken you do not eat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Then, you can reheat it in the microwave, stovetop, or oven.
If you want to freeze the chicken, place it in a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for 1-2 months. Then, thaw in the fridge the night before or defrost from being frozen.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use a boneless chicken thigh instead of a chicken breast. Just adjust the cooking time as needed for this recipe.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Assemble the chicken, wait to cook it up, and store it in the fridge in a sealed container. You can do this up to 4-5 hours before you want to cook.
This chicken is best served fresh, so I recommend making it fresh and serving. If you want to make it thoroughly ahead of time, you can warm it up when ready to eat.
Can I grill the stuffed chicken instead of baking?
Absolutely! You can toss chicken on the grill and cook it that way. Adjust the cooking time depending on the heat on the grill. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked.
More Chicken Recipes
Caprese Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized chicken breasts
- 2 Roma or medium sized vine ripe tomatoes thinly sliced
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes in oil
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella
- 12 basil leaves
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup balsamic glaze homemade or store bought
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- With a knife, cut the center of the breast, lengthwise to make a pocket. Cut about
- ¾ of the way through the breast, starting on the thickest side.
- Combine the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour 1 teaspoon of sun dried tomato oil over each breast. Rub around.
- Sprinkle with seasonings. Rub all over inside and out of each breast.
- Inside each breast, put 2 thin slices of tomato, one slice of fresh mozzarella
- cheese, 3 basil leaves and 2 teaspoons of sundried tomatoes.
- Close the breasts by poking 2-4 toothpicks into the top of the chicken diagonally
- and through to the bottom, like sewing it shut.
- In an ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil (olive oil, avocado oil or sun dried
- tomato oil).
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken, cooking just to sear each side. About 4
- minutes on each side.
- 10.Add balsamic glaze to the pan around the chicken. Turn the chicken to coat in
- the glaze.
- Transfer the pan to the oven. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken has
- reached 165°F and the cheese has melted.
- 12.Remove the toothpicks and drizzle with the pan juices.
- 13.Garnish with basil chiffonade
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