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This Chicken Caprese is a perfect dinner for one, bringing classic flavors to a simple, one-pan meal. A seasoned chicken breast bakes with juicy tomatoes, red onions, and balsamic vinegar, then is topped with melted mozzarella. It’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Pair this Chicken Caprese with a simple side dish like Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Spinach and Orzo Salad, Pan-Fried Okra, or Cornbread for a complete meal.
RELATED: Easy Dinner Ideas For One
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients, Easy Prep: No complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.
- Great Flavor: Every bite tastes rich and well-balanced.
- Nutritious & Satisfying: A good mix of protein from the chicken and freshness from the vegetables.
- One Dish, Less Cleanup: Everything cooks in one pan, so there’s less to wash.
- Single Serving: Perfect for anyone cooking for one, so there’s no waste.
Chicken Caprese takes the flavors of a classic Caprese salad and turns them into a hearty, baked chicken dish. A seasoned chicken breast is baked with tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and melted mozzarella for a simple, flavorful meal. I love how easy this recipe is to make, and sometimes I double it in a larger baking dish to have leftovers for the next day. It’s a great way to enjoy fresh, vibrant flavors with minimal effort!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve Chicken Caprese recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Chicken Breast: Use a boneless, skinless chicken breast, about 4 to 6 ounces. Extra chicken? Use it in Chicken Paprika, Chicken Tetrazzini, or Chicken Parmesan.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings adhere and keeps the chicken moist.
- Dried Basil & Dried Oregano: Classic Italian herbs that add great flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Made from dried, ground garlic, it gives the dish a mild garlic flavor without the strong bite of fresh garlic. It also blends easily with other seasonings, making it great for even seasoning.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Used to bring out the flavors of the chicken and vegetables. I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt because it dissolves easily and allows for better control when seasoning.
- Tomato: I like using a Roma tomato because it’s the perfect size for this recipe. A small or medium tomato works well too.
- Red Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and softens as it cooks, blending nicely with the other ingredients.
- Balsamic Vinegar: A slightly sweet and tangy vinegar that enhances the flavor of the chicken and vegetables. It caramelizes slightly as it bakes, adding depth to the dish.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts over the chicken, adding a creamy, slightly salty layer that balances the tanginess of the balsamic vinegar. Use leftover cheese in Caprese Pasta or Lasagna.
Recipe Variations
There are plenty of ways to change up this Chicken Caprese recipe. Try one of these easy variations:
- Pesto Chicken Caprese: Spread a layer of pesto over the chicken before adding the tomatoes.
- Mushroom Addition: Add sliced mushrooms along with the tomatoes and onions for more texture and a deeper, savory taste.
- Spicy Version: Sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken before baking for a little heat.
- Mediterranean Style: Add olives and a sprinkle of feta cheese.
How To Make Chicken Caprese
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this single serving Chicken Caprese recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Season and Bake the Chicken: Place the chicken breast in a small baking dish. Sprinkle with dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the sliced tomato and diced red onions around the chicken. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over everything. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (165°F in the thickest part).
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the cooked chicken. Place it back in the oven for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted.
Expert Tips
- Read the Recipe First: Since this dish comes together quickly, take a minute to read through the full recipe before starting. Having everything prepped and ready will make cooking easier.
- Check for Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F. This ensures it’s fully cooked without overbaking.
- Freeze Chicken in Portions: Buy chicken in bulk, especially when it’s on sale. Divide it into individual portions, wrap them separately, and freeze. Label with the date and use within nine months for the best quality.
- Slice the Vegetables Evenly: Cutting the tomatoes and onions into similar sizes helps them cook evenly and blend well with the dish.
- Use Fresh Mozzarella for a Creamier Texture: If you prefer a more traditional Caprese-style dish, swap shredded mozzarella for fresh mozzarella slices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use a boneless, skinless chicken thigh (4 to 6 ounces) instead of a breast. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
Yes! Use a larger baking dish and double the ingredients to make two servings.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or use the microwave in short intervals.
Other Single Serving Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this Chicken Caprese, here are a few more easy meals for one you might like to try:
- Chicken with Mustard Sauce: A creamy, flavorful dish with a touch of French-inspired flavor.
- Chicken Fricassee: A comforting, one-pan meal with a rich, savory sauce.
- Cashew Chicken: A quick stir-fry with tender chicken and crunchy cashews.
- Lemon Garlic Chicken: Bright, zesty, and packed with flavor.
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:
If you’ve tried this single serving 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.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
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
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the Chicken: Place the chicken breast in a small baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the Vegetables: Arrange the quartered tomatoes and diced red onions around the chicken.
- Drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar: Pour the balsamic vinegar over the chicken and vegetables.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake for 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
- Add the Cheese: Once the chicken is fully cooked, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Melt the Cheese: Return the dish to the oven for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Read the Recipe First: Since this dish comes together quickly, take a minute to read through the full recipe before starting. Having everything prepped and ready will make cooking easier.
- Check for Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F. This ensures it’s fully cooked without overbaking.
- Freeze Chicken in Portions: Buy chicken in bulk, especially when it’s on sale. Divide it into individual portions, wrap them separately, and freeze. Label with the date and use within nine months for the best quality.
- Slice the Vegetables Evenly: Cutting the tomatoes and onions into similar sizes helps them cook evenly and blend well with the dish.
- Use Fresh Mozzarella for a Creamier Texture: If you prefer a more traditional Caprese-style dish, swap shredded mozzarella for fresh mozzarella slices.
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 🙂