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Balsamic Caprese Chicken

If you have pre-made balsamic syrup, you can use that instead and skip the first step of reducing the vinegar into syrup; Swap the plain balsamic vinegar listed in the recipe for ¼ cup prepared balsamic syrup.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Author: Ruthy Kirwan

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2oz fresh basil leaves about 6-7 leaves
  • 4 tomato sliced 1” thick
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cut into 6–7 thick slices
  • freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

Prep Ahead:

  • Pound the chicken and store in a resealable bag or container.
  • Reduce the balsamic vinegar and store in a resealable bag or container.
  • Slice the tomatoes and cheese and store in a resealable bag or container.
  • Store in the freezer for up to 3 months or the fridge for 3-5 days

Prepare From Prepped:

  • If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
  • Season the pounded chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, and then sear in the oil, turning the chicken with tongs so both sides brown.
  • Add the balsamic vinegar to the pan, drizzling over the chicken breasts.
  • Stack the chicken breasts with fresh basil leaves (about 2-3 on each breast), sliced tomatoes, then sliced mozzarella. Place a lid on the pan and turn heat to low.
  • Cook a further 2-3 minutes until the cheese has melted.
  • Serve chicken with basil, tomato, and cheese on top and any pan sauce left in the saute pan spooned around it.

Make From Fresh:

  • Place a wide saute pan over medium-high heat and add the balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil and allow the vinegar to reduce, stirring occasionally. Allow the vinegar to reduce until it is thick and syrupy enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour into a cool bowl and set aside for later. Clean the pan and return it to the stovetop.
  • Place the chicken thighs between cling film. Using a kitchen mallet, pound thighs so that they are each about 1″ thick. Sprinkle evenly with the salt.
  • Add the olive oil to the pan and heat on medium-high until shimmering. Add the chicken thighs in one layer and fry until golden brown on the bottom, then turn and brown the other side.
  • Layer the chicken with 1-2 leaves of basil, then the tomatoes, then the slices of fresh mozzarella.
  • Turn off the heat of the stovetop and place the pan in the hot oven.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted and is beginning to brown.
  • Remove the pan from the oven and drizzle with the reserved balsamic vinegar glaze
  • Serve hot.