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Enjoy a delicious and convenient single serving of Chicken Caprese, a meal that combines the classic flavors of a Caprese salad with a fulfilling chicken dish, ready in just 30 minutes. The recipe features a single chicken breast, seasoned and baked with juicy tomatoes, crisp red onions, and a tangy balsamic glaze, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This simple yet elegant dish offers a perfect balance of healthy eating and exquisite taste, all made in one dish for easy cleanup.
Enjoy this Chicken Caprese with any of our single serve side dish recipes like crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts, a refreshing Spinach and Orzo Salad, golden Pan-Fried Okra, or a slice of moist Cornbread.
RELATED: Easy Dinner Ideas For One
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and common ingredients.
- Flavorful: The combination of balsamic, tomato, and cheese enhances the chicken.
- Healthy: A balanced meal with protein and fresh vegetables.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single dish for easy cleanup.
- Perfect Portion: Ideal for a satisfying single serving.
What Is Caprese Chicken?
Chicken Caprese is a baked chicken dish inspired by the traditional Caprese salad. It features chicken breast topped with tomato, balsamic vinegar, mozzarella cheese, and often basil, embodying the refreshing flavors of the classic Italian salad.
How To Make Chicken Caprese
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a single serving of Chicken Caprese. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Season and Bake the Chicken: Start by seasoning one chicken breast with a blend of dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place it in a small baking dish, accompanied by slices of tomato and red onions. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over both the chicken and the vegetables. Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: After the initial baking, sprinkle shredded Mozzarella cheese over the chicken. Return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt perfectly over the chicken.
Recipe Variations
Exploring different variations of this easy Chicken Caprese recipe can add an exciting twist to your meal. Here are some creative options to try:
- Pesto Chicken Caprese: Spread a layer of pesto over the chicken before adding the tomatoes for a herby, flavorful twist.
- Mushroom Delight: Include sliced mushrooms with the tomatoes and onions for an earthy flavor and extra texture.
- Spicy Kick: Sprinkle chili flakes on the chicken before baking for a spicy version.
- Creamy Dream: Add a few dollops of ricotta cheese on top before the final bake for a creamy addition.
- Mediterranean Flair: Mix in olives and a sprinkle of feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.
Expert Tips
- Before starting, it’s important to read the entire recipe. We’ve included comprehensive information to guarantee your Caprese Chicken turns out perfectly every time. Since this dish is quick to prepare, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the recipe and have all ingredients prepped and ready to go before beginning
- Stock and Freeze Chicken Efficiently: Buy chicken breasts or thighs in bulk, particularly during sales. Divide them into individual servings, wrap each piece separately, and freeze. This makes it easy to defrost and cook single servings as needed. Keep in mind the USDA’s recommendation to freeze chicken breasts for no more than nine months for optimal quality, and always label the packages with the ‘frozen on’ date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use a 4 to 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken thigh instead of a breast. Bake it at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, as measured by an instant-read thermometer.
Definitely. Chicken Caprese is low in carbohydrates and rich in flavor. Tomatoes are a key ingredient that provide lycopene, an antioxidant, and are also a great source of vitamins C, B, E, potassium, and folate. Red onions, another ingredient, are known for their health benefits, including the antioxidant quercetin, which fights inflammation and boosts the immune system.
Yes, the recipe can be doubled to use two chicken breasts. Simply double all the ingredients. The baking time remains the same as specified in the original recipe.
Yes, assemble earlier and bake when ready to eat.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
Other Single Serving Chicken Recipes
If you like this baked Chicken Caprese recipe, you might also like to try these easy chicken recipes:
For information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this Chicken Caprese or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Chicken Caprese For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
- 5×7 inch baking dish or similar sized baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 (4 to 6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 Roma tomato , quartered
- ⅓ cup chopped red onions
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the chicken breast in a small baking dish. Sprinkle with olive oil, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the quartered tomatoes and diced onions around the chicken.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the top of the chicken and vegetables.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken, or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F.
- After the chicken is cooked through, sprinkle Mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Place the baking dish back into the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until cheese has melted.
Notes
- Before starting, it’s important to read the entire recipe. We’ve included comprehensive information to guarantee your Caprese Chicken turns out perfectly every time. Since this dish is quick to prepare, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the recipe and have all ingredients prepped and ready to go before beginning
- Stock and Freeze Chicken Efficiently: Buy chicken breasts or thighs in bulk, particularly during sales. Divide them into individual servings, wrap each piece separately, and freeze. This makes it easy to defrost and cook single servings as needed. Keep in mind the USDA’s recommendation to freeze chicken breasts for no more than nine months for optimal quality, and always label the packages with the ‘frozen on’ date.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Awesome !! Made this tonight and loved it !!! I made in my air fryer with some trial and error. Do you use an air fryer especially when cooking for one.? If so can you include those instructions along with recipe. I refuse to heat my big oven for one small dish. LOL Love your recipes and your show and you. !!!!!
Made this tonight (sorry no pic)…it was absolutely fantastic!!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
this recipe was fantastic.
thank you. pat.
Just wanted to share a tip – if you don’t have balsamic vinegar (and I don’t because it’s not something I use on a regular basis) you can still make this recipe. Just combine 1 tablespoon of either cider vinegar or red wine vinegar with 1/2 teaspoon of either white or brown sugar. Because balsamic has a slight molasses flavor, I used brown sugar to mimic that when making this recipe. Yummy in my tummy!
Great tip, Aly. Thank you so much for sharing it and I’m so happy you enjoyed the chicken caprese.
Have a wonderful week!
Joanie
Dinner for one is my biggest challenge. I also have some dietary limitations. This fits the bill perfectly! Thank you.
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Joanie
Made this for dinner tonight. It was wonderful. The balsamic vinegar gave a sweetness to the onion and tomato. Definitely a keeper! Thank you!
This chicken recipe is delicious. Making 2 pieces of chicken so I will have leftovers.
Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe.
I was looking for a chicken recipe for my husband and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! He is so happy! Thanks for this!
I’m so happy your husband enjoyed the chicken. Thank you so much for letting me know.
All my favorite flavors! This would make a perfect dinner!
Such a great recipe, even on a busy weeknight! Plus, pretty easy clean up! Perfect for mozzarella lovers 🙂